The Court of Appeal in Abuja has affirmed Alhaji Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa as the lawful President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).
This decision upholds the earlier judgment delivered by the National Industrial Court on March 11, 2024, in Suit No. NICN/ABJ/263/2023, which recognized Baruwa’s presidency.
At a press briefing on Friday, November 15, Baruwa criticized the inauguration of Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, as the new President of the union. He described the event as both “laughable” and an affront to the judiciary, noting it violated the judgments of the National Industrial Court and the Court of Appeal on March 11 and November 8, respectively. These judgments had restrained the Yasin-led faction from interfering in the operations of the Baruwa-led National Executives of the NURTW.
Baruwa emphasized that the NURTW is governed by a constitution that clearly outlines the guidelines for conducting elections into its offices. He called on the Inspector General of Police and the Attorney General of the Federation to enforce the Appeal Court’s judgment to uphold peace, order, and the rule of law.
The appellate court, presided over by Justices Hamma Akawu Barka, Nnamdi Dimgba, and Asmau Ojuolape Akanbi, dismissed the appeal filed by Alhaji Najeem Usman Yasin, Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede, and others loyal to MC Oluomo. The court ruled that the appeal lacked merit and reaffirmed Baruwa as the legally elected President of the NURTW.
In addition to the ruling, the court imposed a penalty of ₦100,000 against the appellants, to be paid to the respondents.
