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SWAN National President, Isaiah Benjamin (right) with Secretary General, Ikenna Okonkwo
The Lagos State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has officially rejected what it describes as an “unconstitutional and ultra vires” suspension of its elected Chairman and Secretary by the National Secretariat of the association.
In a strongly worded response addressed to the National President of SWAN, Mr. Benjamin Isaiah, the Lagos leadership condemned the letter dated October 3, 2025, which communicated the purported suspension of the chapter’s Chairman, Ambassador Olatutu Oladunni, and Secretary, Omotunde Bello, over alleged misconduct.
The Lagos chapter, in its reply, described the action as “a clear violation of the SWAN Constitution and a breach of democratic principles,” insisting that the National President lacks the unilateral authority to suspend elected chapter officers.
Quoting extensively from the association’s Constitution and Bye-Laws, the Lagos executives noted:
“The Constitution, particularly Articles 21 and 23, does not confer powers on the National President or NEC to suspend or remove a Chapter Chairman. Such disciplinary powers are explicitly vested in the State Executive Committee (SEC) and can only be exercised through a two-thirds majority vote.”
They further referenced Article 21(c), which guarantees the right to a fair hearing through an Independent Investigation Committee (IIC) before any disciplinary action can be taken. According to them, no such process was initiated or followed.
“The purported suspension failed to adhere to due process and is therefore null, void, and without legal effect,” the statement read.
The Lagos chapter also referenced a National Industrial Court judgment (Suit No. NICN/LA/165/2022), which affirmed the legitimacy of Ambassador Olatutu Oladunni’s election, reinforcing his right to remain in office until the end of his constitutionally guaranteed tenure.
The chapter expressed concern over what it termed the “usurpation of chapter autonomy,” warning that such interference undermines the credibility of SWAN’s internal electoral processes and threatens the rule of law within the association.
“By Article 12(b), the tenure of office for elected officials is three years with eligibility for re-election. Any attempt to truncate this without due process is not only unconstitutional but dangerous to the spirit of the association,” they stated.
Consequently, the Lagos SWAN chapter declared the suspension letter “of no effect whatsoever” and called on the National Secretariat to desist from actions that contradict the association’s guiding principles and governance framework.
“We respectfully urge the National Secretariat to uphold the Constitution and channel any grievances through established disciplinary mechanisms,” the letter concluded.
The response was jointly signed by Ambassador Olatutu Oladunni, Chairman of SWAN Lagos Chapter, and Omotunde Bello, the Chapter Secretary.
