NUJ FCT Slams Emmanuel Ogbeche Over Cyber Attack, Backs Grace Ike with Confidence Vote

*Congress orders police probe, disciplinary action as union tackles sabotage, impersonation
Union tackles impersonation, plots to destabilize Council, refers members to disciplinary panel

By Queen Kunde

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, has passed a resounding vote of confidence on the leadership of Comrade Grace Ike, as the Council confronts what it described as a wave of internal sabotage, cybercrime, and impersonation aimed at destabilizing the union.

The decision was reached during the Council’s Monthly Congress held on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at its headquarters in Utako, Abuja, with over 450 members in attendance.

A major highlight of the congress was the uproar over the reported hacking of the Union’s official social media handles by a former Council Chairman, Comrade Emmanuel Ogbeche. The Congress alleged that Ogbeche altered the Union’s Facebook and Twitter accounts from ‘NUJ FCT Council’ to ‘Nigeria Media Group’ and also tampered with the official logo an act described by members as a blatant cyber-attack and impersonation.

In a unanimous resolution, the Congress condemned the actions of the former chairman and called for immediate investigation by law enforcement agencies under the Cybercrime Act of 2024 (as amended). The Congress further warned Ogbeche and his associates, including former Council Secretary Comrade Patrick Osadebamwen, to desist from actions that could plunge the Union into avoidable crisis.

The Union also received alarming reports of an alleged violent confrontation involving Comrade Emeka Nze of Blueprint Newspaper, who was accused of physically assaulting a colleague, Comrade Osisam Ede, and threatening an unlawful takeover of the Council. Additional reports from members indicated a coordinated attempt by Nze, alongside Johnchuks Onuahim and others, to discredit and destabilize the Council’s current leadership.

While members overwhelmingly demanded the immediate suspension of the individuals involved, the Council resolved to follow due constitutional process. Accordingly, the accused have been referred to the Union’s Ethics and Disciplinary Committee for investigation and recommendations to the Congress.

Despite the tension, the Congress concluded on a note of unity, as members threw their weight behind the Grace Ike-led administration. The vote of confidence came with calls for continued reforms and the protection of press freedom, even as members urged the Executive to ignore detractors and focus on moving the Union forward.

The Congress also deliberated on the planned protest by over 40,000 workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), scheduled for June 30 to July 2, 2025. The Union called on the Minister of the FCT, Chief Barr. Nyesom Wike (CON), to address the grievances of the workers, praising his track record as a “friend of the media” and a “man of the people.”