The National Union of Road Transport Workers’ leadership crisis took a dramatic turn when Tajudeen Baruwa took control of the union’s national secretariat in Abuja, deposing Musiliu Akinsanya, also known as MC Oluomo, following a series of court rulings that altered the union’s power structure.
Speaking to journalists at the secretariat after reclaiming control on Monday, Baruwa, joined by supporters from throughout the country, stated that his actions were supported by two court decisions in his favor.
Following the victory, he stated that the union formally alerted the Nigerian police, attaching documents of court rulings to aid in the return of its secretariat.
However, he added that the responses were unsatisfactory, causing the union to issue another notice a few days ago, expressing its determination to take over the secretariat and begin activities in accordance with court judgments.
Baruwa said, “Their body language has not been encouraging despite repeated assurance that we are not going back to foment any trouble, as we are a law-abiding union whose only mission is to get back what belonged to them.
“But today, as you can see, we are taking over in a peaceful manner, and it is not a forceful takeover but just carrying out the court’s orders.
“Again, please be aware that our coming here after two years is to occupy our office, having obtained judgments at both the lower court and the appeal court, but they refused to obey court orders after waiting for about two years. We decided to resume at the office today without causing any violence, and here we are.
“Although the other faction attacked one of our members, who is now in the hospital, the situation is under control. We are still open to reconciliation as we are a lawful organization and not a troublemaker. No one is above the law.”
However, he added that the responses were unsatisfactory, causing the union to issue another notice a few days ago, expressing its determination to take over the secretariat and begin activities in accordance with court judgments.
Musa stated, “We have notified the police that, on the order of the court, we are coming back to our office today, and we are glad that journalists are here to witness it so that the world will know what is going on here.
Baruwa, who is running for NURTW president, has previously rejected Oluomo’s appointment as the union’s new president.
The National Industrial Court and the Court of Appeal have previously barred interference with the operations of the Baruwa-led NURTW administration.
The NICN, in its verdict in suit No. NICN/ABJ/263/2023, delivered by Hon. O.O. Oyewumi, confirmed Baruwa’s election as president of the union.
Similarly, the appellate court in Abuja validated Baruwa as the lawful president of the National Union of Road Transport Workers in a decision issued on November 8 on the appeal marked CA/ABJ/CV/293/2024, with a certified true copy.
The verdict confirms the lower court’s earlier decision, which was issued on March 11, 2024, and recognized Baruwa as the union president.
A three-member panel of Justices Hamma Akawu Barka, Nnamdi Dimgba, and Asmau Ojuolape Akanbi dismissed the appeal filed by Najeem Usman Yasin, Tajudeen Agbede, and others, concluding that it lacked substance. It thus maintained the industrial court’s ruling, which confirmed Baruwa’s presidency.
The appellate court also ordered N100,000 in costs to the appellants, who are known supporters of Musiliu Akinsanya, also known as MC Oluomo.
Appellants in the appeal (who were defendants before the NICN) are Yasin, Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede, Alhaji Aliyu Ore, Kayode Agbeyangi, Alhaji Alhassan Haruna 313, Aliyu Tanimu, and Alhaji Hakeem Adeosun.
Respondents in the appeal (who were claimants before the NICN) are Baruwa, Bello Adamu, Eugene Job, Danjuma Saidu, Prince Isah Usman, Suleiman Adamu, and Odion Olaye JP.
