Opinion: Legal and Ethical Questions Trail IYC Western Zone’s “Banishment” of Nicholas Igarama: A Forum’s Overreach or Due Process?

 

Opinion: Legal and Ethical Questions Trail IYC Western Zone’s “Banishment” of Nicholas Igarama: A Forum’s Overreach or Due Process?

By Dr. Odimientimi Agbedeyi | Global Egberi Media International

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In what appears to be a politically charged and emotionally driven decision, the 24 Clan Chairmen’s Forum of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Western Zone recently issued a “Resolution of No Confidence and Total Banishment” against Comrade Nicholas Igarama — a move that has sparked serious questions about the legality, ethics, and internal procedural justice of the Council’s leadership structure.

The document, which has been widely circulated across social media platforms and community forums, accuses Igarama of gross misconduct, financial recklessness, and authoritarian leadership tendencies. However, a closer analysis of the forum’s pronouncement reveals several loopholes and potential violations of organizational procedure as well as fundamental human rights principles protected under Nigerian law.

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⚖️ Legal and Procedural Loopholes

First, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), though a socio-cultural organization, operates under a constitution and recognized leadership hierarchy. According to standard practice, disciplinary actions such as suspension, removal, or banishment must follow established procedures — including written queries, opportunity for defense, and ratification by the zonal executive or national leadership.

By acting independently, the 24 Clan Chairmen’s Forum may have exceeded its jurisdiction, especially if such a decision was made without recourse to the Western Zone leadership or the National Executive Council (NEC) of the IYC.

Furthermore, the declaration of “total banishment” has no legal standing in Nigerian jurisprudence. The Nigerian Constitution guarantees freedom of movement, association, and expression under Sections 39 and 41. No social or political organization has the power to “banish” a citizen from his community or organization — such an act, if enforced, could constitute defamation, harassment, or even unlawful restriction of liberty.

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🧩 Ethical Contradictions and Public Perception

From an ethical standpoint, the public release of the resolution — with strong language branding Igarama as “tyrannical” and “financially reckless” — raises questions of fairness and motive. Was due process followed? Was he given a fair hearing before the resolution was made public?

By releasing a punitive statement to the public without offering equal space for defense, the forum may have violated the core principles of natural justice: audi alteram partem — meaning “let the other side be heard.”

This approach could undermine the integrity of the IYC, an organization historically respected for championing the cause of the Ijaw people through dialogue and justice, not mob-style declarations.

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🕊️ Political and Social Implications

Observers within and outside the Ijaw Youth Council argue that this development may deepen internal divisions and erode public confidence in the organization’s leadership processes. The language and tone of the resolution reflect a deep-seated internal conflict that, if not carefully managed, could polarize the Western Zone and weaken its voice on regional advocacy.

Legal experts also warn that such resolutions, if not constitutionally backed, could expose signatories to litigation — especially if the accused individual chooses to seek redress for defamation or violation of rights.

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🧭 The Path Forward

For credibility and internal peace, the IYC National Executive Council is urged to intervene swiftly to clarify the legality of the forum’s actions and ensure that proper disciplinary frameworks are followed. The Ijaw nation’s unity must never be compromised by factional emotions or politically motivated pronouncements.

In the spirit of justice, transparency, and Ijaw brotherhood, the matter demands a cool-headed and constitutionally guided resolution, not a public trial by declaration.

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✍️ Moral Lesson

When emotion overrides structure, chaos becomes law. True leadership must respect process, even when truth seems obvious. The strength of any movement lies not in the loudness of its accusations, but in the fairness of its actions.

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📖 Biblical Backup

“He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.”
— Proverbs 18:13 (KJV)

This scripture reminds us that judgment without hearing both sides is a display of folly, not wisdom — a principle every leader must uphold.

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Author: Dr. Odimientimi Agbedeyi
Publisher: Global Egberi Media International
🌐 Website: https://globalegberi.blogspot.com
📧 Email: globalegberimedia@gmail.com
📞 Nigeria: +234 813 490 2214

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Tags: Ijaw Youth Council, Nicholas Igarama, Western Zone, Leadership Crisis, Human Rights, Niger Delta Politics, Legal Opinion, Ijaw Nation

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Facebook Caption:
🔥 Editorial Insight: The IYC Western Zone’s resolution against Nicholas Igarama raises more legal and ethical questions than answers. Dr. Odimientimi Agbedeyi dissects the loopholes, legal dangers, and moral contradictions of this controversial move.
#IYC #IjawYouthCouncil #GlobalEgberiMedia #DrOdimientimiAgbedeyi #NigerDelta