The Anambra State chapter of the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has suspended the Vice Chairman Judith Emmanuel and Secretary, Nkiru Nnagbo from its executive for alleged misconduct.

Speaking at the association’s emergency congress held at the NUJ Press Centre in Awka, the Chairman, Mrs. Stella Igboka, narrated how a parallel faction was formed from which delegates were selected to counter her list at the National Congress held in Badagry, Lagos, last month.

She disclosed that the faction also printed a fake letter-headed paper which it used in sourcing for funds in the name of the association without her knowledge.

Igboka said: “I don’t know why a secretary whose name is No. 5 in my delegate list should venture into this kind of unworthy adventure with the vice chairman.

“I have brought it for the house to look into it and decide what should be done because their coming to Badagry with another list of delegates has created the impression that Anambra NAWOJ has a faction like Enugu and Imo

“As far as am concerned, our house is in order. I don’t see any reason for this and when I was summoned by the electoral committee headed by the NUJ National President, I explained everything to them, showed them my list and told them to confirm it with the one I sent to them via email. After listening to me, they told me to go, that I had no case to answer and that my list was the list they recognise as the chairman.”

Raising a motion for their suspension, a member of the association and staff of Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS), Miss Ebele Eze, said that the association’s Secretary in an effort to attend the national congress with her faction collaborated with the Vice Chairman and forged the association’s letter headed-paper and went for money drive in the association’s name.

“As far as I am concerned, forgery is a criminal offence and they should be punished,” Eze said.

She pointed out that such act will only end up showing the association in bad light, hence, they should be suspended.

Seconding the motion, Mrs. Joy Mbachi of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said that the disciplinary measure was necessary in other to serve as a deterrent to others.

Though supporters of the Secretary and Vice Chairman opposed the suspension, the Chairman called for on-the-spot nominations to fill the vacuum. Miss Chigozie Chukwuleta of Unizik FM was nominated for interim Secretary while Miss Pamela Eboh of News Express Online Newspaper was nominated as interim Vice Chairman.

The Chairman also picked Mrs. Joy Mbachi as an Ex-officio. The interim Secretary and Vice Chairman were immediately sworn-in.

•Photo shows Anambra NAWOJ interim Vice Chairman, Pamela Eboh.

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