Our Suspension Was Unfair To Us, Lagos Chairman, Secretary Warn SWAN National President 

WHEN THE GOING WAS GOOD: SWAN President, Isaiah Benjamin (right) with Lagos SWAN chairman, Ambassador Olatutu Oladunni, while Secretary General, Ikenna Okonkwo (middle) looks on during a recent event in Lagos

While it is no longer news that the Lagos chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has been bedevilled with protracted crisis in the past few years with those who supposed to come to the dialogue table with clean hands seem to be taking sides. A new twist has just been added to the lingering crisis with the National Body of the association, the custodian of the soul of the sports writing family in the country, now welding its big  stick with action that has given the impression that the national officers are pursuing personal agenda.

On Friday, a letter suspending the chairman and Secretary of Lagos chapter, Ambassador Olatutu Oladunni and Omotunde Bello respectively, was issued because of a yet to be known reason, which may not be unconnected with the ongoing electoral process to usher in new executive in the state.

In a swift reaction, however, the Lagos SWAN chairman and the secretary, in a response sent to the National President of the association, Isaiah Benjamin, gave reasons why the suspension cannot stand, citing what could be described as an arbitrary action lacking a fair and reasonable basis.

Oladunni and Bello believe that Isaiah Benjamin-led executive’s latest action is considered unreasonable, unsupported, and potentially tyrannical, violating the principles of justice and fairness in a legal system.

P.M. EXPRESS presents below the full letter for record purposes.

3rd October 2025

The National President

SWAN

SWAN SECRETARIAT

ABUJA

Attention: Mr. Benjamin Isaiah

Dear Sir,

RE: PURPORTED & UNCOSTITUTIONAL LETTER OF SUSPENSION  ON SWAN CHAIRMAN & SECRETARY LAGOS CHAPTER

We are in receipt of your letter dated 3rd October 2025 conveying what you described as the suspension of the duly elected Chairman of the Lagos Chapter and Chapter Secretary respectively, for an alleged misconduct. After due consideration, we are constrained to respond as follows:

1. Lack of Constitutional Authority:

The Constitution and Bye-Laws of the Association, particularly Articles 21 ,23 provisions], do not confer on the National President unilateral powers to suspend or remove an elected Chapter Chairman. Such authority, where it exists, resides exclusively in the Chapter SEC  by virtue of Section 23(b)  of the SWAN state through the prescribed disciplinary mechanisms of the Association.

We  refer to Articles 21(b),(c)  on discipline and

Articles 23( b) on removal of officers respectively states  as follows:

Article 21(b)

‘The state executive Committee shall have powers to I impose disciplinary Measures on any member of the chapter for serious misconduct “

Article 21(c)

In all cases, affected members/state shall be given the right to defend themselves before an Independent Investigation Committee (IIC) appointed by NEC as the case may be”

Article 23(b)

” Same as above, any state officer found wanting shall be removed or relieved of his post by a vote of two third of all other state Executive Committee (SEC).”

We noted with concern that  by the wordings of Articles 21,23b stated above, the powers to remove or suspend  State Executive Committee members is only exercisable by 2/3 of SEC members and by no means exercisable by the National president and NEC as contained in your letter under reference

Further sir,  the provision of Article 21, of the Statute requires that any member alleged of misconduct must be given fair hearing and the right to defend himself before a  duly constituted IIC preparatory to imposition of any disciplinary measure which procedure your purported letter under reference failed to follow and adhere to.

2. Ultra Vires Action:

The purported suspension is therefore ultra vires, null, void, and incapable of producing any legal or binding effect on the leadership or operations of the Lagos Chapter pursuant to Article 23(b) of the SWAN registered Statute.

3. Continuity of Office:

The Chairman, having been duly elected in accordance with the Constitution of the Association, whose  election and legitimacy in office has been confirmed by the national industrial court presided over by His Lordship Justice Esowe in suite no.NICN/LA/165/2022

shall continue to exercise and discharge the functions of his office until the expiration of his tenure or lawful removal in strict compliance with the constitutional provisions.

4. Usurpation of Chapter Autonomy:

We find the purported suspension a clear usurpation of the internal sovereignty of the Chapter and a breach of the democratic principles that govern the Association. By the provision of ARTICLE 12, (b)i , ii  , the purported suspension contravenes tenure of office  guarantee  under Article 12 .This kind of interference, if allowed, undermines the credibility of the Association’s electoral processes and the rule of law within its structure

By Article 12(b) I, II, the tenure of office of the current chairman and secretary is secured for 3 years and with eligibility for a second term in a free and fair contest.

In the light of the foregoing, the Lagos chapter hereby formally rejects the purported suspension letter in its entirety, and considers same as of no effect whatsoever.

We respectfully urge the National Secretariat to desist from actions inconsistent with the Association’s Constitution, and to channel any grievances in accordance with due process and established disciplinary procedures.

Kindly be guided accordingly.

Yours faithfully,

 AMBASSADOR OLATUTU OLADUNNI (FISN)

Chairman, SWAN LAGOS CHAPTER

OMOTUNDE BELLO

Secretary, SWAN  Lagos  Chapter