JUST IN: BRC Members ask court to stop President, Others from Tampering With Club’s activities until determination of suit
By David Lawani, Abuja
In a determined effort to stop the violation of their fundamental human rights as member of Benin Recreation Club, BRC, Mr. Osahon Imaru and Mr. Williams Ugiagbe have filed a suit at the Edo State High Court, Benin City to prevent the President of Benin Recreation Club, BRC, Hon. Valentine Asuen and Others from denying them membership of the club and having the right to vote in the forthcoming election slated for 7th December, 2024.
The Claimants’ lawyer, Barr. Abraham Oviawe in his originating summons before the court is seeking to know if by provisions of the extant laws, the defendants have the locus standi by fiat to suspend members of the club and also to determined the fees paid by members of the club.
According to the suit filed vide an Originating Summons: ” Whether by virtue of section 24(1) of the Benin Recreation Club, amended constitution, (2023), the Executive Committee of the Benin Recreation Club can validly suspend the claimants from being members of the Benin Recreation Club for a singular reason that the 1st and 2nd Claimants expressed their grievances through their solicitor’s letter to the 1st defendant.
” Whether vy virtue of section 24(1) of the Benin Recreation Club Amended Constitution (2023) the Claimant Solicitor’s letter dated December, 2023, to the first constitute misconduct that is detrimental to the reputation, objective and interest of the Benin Recreation Club.
” Whether by virtue of the provisions of section 12( A) & section 13 of Benin Recreation Club Amended Constitution (2023), the 2nd defendant and / or Executives Committee are empowered to unilaterally set, fix or review the admission fees of prospective member(s)of Benin Recreation Club outside the Annual General (AGM) as provided for in section 7(1) (a) of Benin Recreation Club Amended Constitution (2023).
“Whether by virtue of the provisions of Section 7(1)(a); Section 9; Section 10; Section 12(A); Section 13 & Section 31 of Benin Recreation Club Amended Constitution (2023), prospective member(s) who do not pay the set, fixed or reviewed Admission fees by the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Benin Recreation Club, can be validly admitted and inducted as member(s) and thereafter eligible to vote or be voted for in any election(s) of the Club?” it asked
The Claimants however, are requesting the court that upon determination of the suit, the following resolutions shall form part of their reliefs that :
” A DECLARATION that the 1st and 2nd defendants and the Executive Committee of Benin Recreation Club cannot validly suspend the 1st & 2nd Claimants from being members of Benin Recreation Club for the singular reason that they expressed their grievances through their Solicitors Letter to the 1st Defendant.
” A DECLARATION that the Claimants’ Solicitors letter dated 20% December, 2023 to the 1st defendant does not constitute misconduct that is detrimental to the reputation, objective and interest of Benin Recreation Club.
” A DECLARATION that the purported suspensions of the 1st and 2nd defendants were done in very bad faith and violate their rights as members of Benin Recreation Club.
” A DECLARATION that the 2nd defendant and/or Executive Committee of Benin Recreation Club cannot unilaterally set, fix or review the Admission fees of prospective member(s) of the Benin Recreation Club outside the Annual General Meeting (AGM).
” A DECLARATION that prospective member(s) who do not pay the set, fixed or reviewed Admission fees by the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Benin Recreation Club, cannot be validly admitted and inducted as member(s) and therefore not eligible to vote and be voted for in any election(s) of the Club.
” A DECLARATION that any election conducted by the 4th defendant with persons not validly admitted and inducted as member(s) is a nullity.
” AN ORDER OF COURT nullifying the Suspension and any other step and/or action taken by the 1st -3rd defendants against the 1st and 2nd Claimants in furtherance of their suspension as members of Benin Recreation Club.
” AN ORDER OF COURT nullifying the candidacy of the 5th defendant having not be validly admitted and inducted and as such not qualified to contest for the position of Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Benin Recreation Club.
” N5, 000,000.00 (Five Million Naira Only) jointly and severally against the 2nd and 3rd Defendants as exemplary/general damages for the unlawful and unconstitutional Suspension against the 1st and 2nd defendants.
” N1, 000,000.00 (One Million Naira Only) as cost of this action”, the claimants pleaded.
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