….Aggrieved Threatens Legal Action
Crisis is currently brewing at the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration (CIOTA) over the suspension of a top member for allegedly spearheading the creation of another WhatsApp group aimed to promote transportation ideology.
It was gathered that the suspension of the member was linked to the forthcoming CIOTA elections.
Though it was gathered that CIOTA has its What’sApp platform called ” Official Chartered Institute of Transport Administration.
According to a letter obtained by DAILY FOCUS NIGERIA over the weekend , the WhatsApp group tagged “PROGRESSIVE TRANSPORTANTS – was created by Stephen K. Dieseruvwe, a Vice Chairman of CIOTA, South south region.
The decision taken by the president of CIOTA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh of suspending the member was contained in a governing council meeting held on Monday 7th November 2022.
The Governing Council meeting which convened under the directive of the Chairman /President was in continuation and conclusion of deliberation of a previous meeting held October 27th 2022.
Dr. Jamoh who also doubles as the Director General ,Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in the minutes of the meeting was quoted lamenting about the wave of unwarranted reactions that have led to the flawed and suspension of the electoral processes, even as he sued for peace and harmony going forward.
The statement signed by the President and National Secretary of CIOTA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh and Hon.Chinda Evans Ogbuji respectively, dated November 9th 2022, resolved that ” In view of the seriousness of action with grave implications, coupled with the gross misconduct occasioned by aspersions cast on the leadership through divisive method, the creator of the platform, Stephen Dieseruvwe has been suspended indefinitely from the institute.
“He relinquishes all rights and privileges of membership and is stripped of all position and responsibilities held by him on behalf of CIOTA forthwith and with immediate effect.
“Anyone who deals with him on CIOTA matter does so at his or her own risk”,the statement resolved .
The President further mandated that the platform should be reopened for members to express themselves positively and constructively, devoid of hate and acrimonious issues ,while admonishing members to adhere strictly to the tenets of public relations and be guided by the rules with the group’s admin inclusive.
But while contacting the suspended member on Sunday via a telephone chat ,Dieseruvwe lamented that the meeting that led to his said suspension was not a governing council meeting but a caucus gathering.
According to him, the NEC has no power to suspend him based on relevant sessions of the CIOTA act adding that an investigative panel or tribunal should be responsible to look into the issues.
He declined creating a rival WhatsApp group alleging that the CIOTA President Dr. Bashir Jamoh joined the group using the WhatsApp ‘join group’ link and any me
in a document made available to our correspondent via his counsel, Ogedegbe and Associates, Human Right Lawyers, Warri and addressed to Rasheed Aiyelabegan,
Registrar/Secretary to the Council,
Chartered Institute of Transport, Administration (CIOTA), Lagos, disclosed that PROGRESSIVE TRANSPORTANTS – is an interest group within CIOTA and not a rival group as is being alleged or misconstrued, hence the membership was not open to the public.
The document said the interest group was created for members to interact and exchange ideas in the transport industry, as the only official WhatsApp group for members to communicate, interact and discuss issues bordering on transportation was without any prior warning to members, closed on 6th October 2022.
According to it, the creation of the group was in line with the inalienable rights of freedom of association and expression by citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as entrenched in Sections 39 and 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended.
On the allegation of promoting a rival Institute, the document, said ” It is far from the truth and complete fallacy, as there is no way that can happen without sending a formal application to Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for registration. And no such application has been initiated by me or any other member of the group.”
By Roland Ekama
