The Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON) has alleged that some expelled former members disrupted its annual conference scheduled to hold in Lokoja, Kogi State, yesterday.
Our Kogi Correspondent, reports that President of ISPON, Engr.Timothy Iwagwu, who addressed journalists after the incident, identified one of the alleged disruptors as Sani Friday Makama, whom he said was no longer a member of the institute.
He alleged that Makama arrived at the conference venue and claimed to have been sent by the Kogi State Government to disrupt the event.
The ISPON president, however, said the state government had distanced itself from the action, describing the alleged conduct as inconsistent with the character of the government.
According to him, the incident forced the organisers to ask invited guests to leave the venue to prevent the situation from escalating.
He said ISPON had contacted security agencies and subsequently petitioned the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 8 Command, Lokoja, over the incident, adding that investigation had commenced.
The president said the incident was particularly unfortunate because the conference formed part of activities marking the institute's 12th anniversary as a chartered professional body.
He explained that the institute was established by an Act of the National Assembly on May 19, 2014, adding that members and stakeholders had travelled from different parts of the country for the conference.
He said the institute had incurred substantial expenses on flights, accommodation, transportation and other logistics for the event, stressing that the disruption had caused significant financial losses.
The ISPON president further linked the incident to a longstanding legal dispute involving some former members who, according to him, had been expelled from the institute.
He said the dispute had resulted in several court cases, adding that ISPON had previously attempted reconciliation with the affected former members.
According to him, the institute even offered the former members amnesty during its 12th anniversary celebration in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, in August 2026.
He alleged that despite the gesture, the former members continued to operate under the name of ISPON.
The president also referred to a judgment delivered by the Federal High Court in Benin, Edo State, on September 26, 2024, which he said was subsequently set aside by the court on June 9, 2026.
He quoted the court as having set aside the earlier judgment on grounds including alleged “deceit, suppression of material facts and abuse of court processes.”
He maintained that all actions purportedly undertaken pursuant to the earlier judgment, including activities of the faction, had consequently been nullified.
He said the institute would continue to pursue the matter through lawful channels, stressing that ISPON members were expected to uphold good character and professionalism.
The president appealed to members of the public and organisations to verify the credentials of individuals presenting themselves as representatives or professionals under the name of ISPON.
He also disclosed that the institute would reschedule the Lokoja conference and communicate a new date to its individual and corporate members.
He thanked the Kogi State Government, security agencies, members of the institute and the media for their response to the incident, saying ISPON chose to pursue the matter through lawful means rather than allow the situation to degenerate into violence.
Reacting to the allegation, Sanni Friday Makama, described the Timothy Iwagwu group as impersonators, saying their faction took them to court and the matter is pending in the court of appeal.
Speaking further he said "without the judgement of appeal they have resulted to self help.
"Please disregard them although the Governor through the Director General Government House has intervened for settlement, but am surprised that they came to address press inspite the Government intervention.
Copyright: Fresh Angle International (www.freshangleng.com)
ISSN 2354 - 4104
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