The leadership crisis rocking the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) is taking a new twist with the warring parties now in the court of law.
There are two camps laying claim to the ‘Soul’ of SWAN, a professional association registered as incorporated trustees under Part C of CAMA 2020.
Otuekong Bonny Nyong-led leadership of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has taken the suspended president of the association, Benjamin Isaiah and his secretary Ikenna Okonkwo to the Federal High Court of Nigeria sitting in Lagos.
In the suit papers cited by this newspaper at the weekend and numbered: FHC/CS/914/24, filed by Ajibola Akinwale Esq, in May this year, and citing several legal jurisprudences, Nyong wants the court to restrain perpetually the first and second defendants (Isaiah and Ikenna) from further parading, masquerading and perpetuating themselves as President and Secretary General of the Ist. Plaintiff (SWAN).
Nyong’s camp filed the suit seeking about six reliefs and prayers from the Federal High Court among which is a declaration that the removal of Isaiah and Ikenna from the office of President and Secretary General at the NEC Meeting held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on 7 -9 January 2024 and 26 February 2024 and virtual NEC meeting dated 16 April 2024 respectively and in the exercise of the powers of NEC under ARTICLES 23 (A)-(D), 15 (A)- (B) of SWAN amended Statues is valid and subsisting.
A Declaration that the 1st and 2nd Defendants having been removed from offices as President and Secretary General, and in exercise of powers of NEC thereto, Isaiah and Ikenna continuously, parade and masquerade themselves as President and Secretary General of SWAN is unlawful, illegal and void.
A Declaration that Isaiah and Ikenna have been removed from offices and cannot continue to operate in the same offices.
A Declaration that Isaiah and Ikenna having been removed from offices cannot continue to exercise powers of the offices and cannot meddle, interfere and interface in the leadership control and affairs of SWAN.
A Declaration that any purported decision and or exercise of any powers exercised and or been exercised by Isaiah and Ikenna after their removal from offices by the NEC meeting in Uyo and the virtual NEC meeting to date, is null and void and of no effect whatsoever.
A Declaration that the swearing-in of the 2nd Plaintiff (Nyong) following the removal of Isaiah as President at the NEC meeting is valid and subsisting.
This paper learnt that Seun Ajayi Obe filed and disposed of an affidavit in support of originating summons as an ex officio and member of the NEC of SWAN by which he is fully conversant of the facts of the case.
It was gathered that Benjamin Isaiah and Ikenna Okonkwo had 30 days to file their defence at the Federal High Court in Lagos.
