Members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Kwara State have urged the union’s national leadership to review the suspension of three journalists, insisting that due process and fair hearing should be upheld.

The NUJ National Executive Council suspended Dare Akogun, Mosunmola Ayobami and Adamu Usman Sabi during its meeting in Dutse, Jigawa State, on August 11 over alleged anti-union activities.

Addressing a press conference in Ilorin, members of the Kwara State Council expressed concern that the affected journalists were disciplined without being given an opportunity to respond to the allegations against them.

The members argued that disciplinary measures should be carried out in line with the NUJ constitution and established procedures, stressing the need for transparency and justice.

During the protest, they displayed placards calling on the union to protect the rights of its members and ensure fairness in its disciplinary process.

Speaking on behalf of the group, former Kwara NUJ Chairman Abdulwahab Umar alleged that the suspension may have been based on a misleading account of a court case involving the state council.

Umar disputed claims that the suspended journalists were among those who instituted the legal action, maintaining that the individuals involved in the lawsuit were different from those sanctioned.

He called on the NUJ national leadership to conduct an independent, impartial and transparent investigation to establish the facts before allowing the suspension to stand.