By Nchetachi Chukwuajah, Tajudeen Baruwa has taken control of the national secretariat of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Abuja from Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, citing two court rulings in his favour. Indeed, Tajudeen Baruwa NURTW takeover Abuja marks a significant shift in union leadership within the city.
Baruwa took control of the union’s secretariat on Monday, March 23, flanked by supporters from across the country during the Tajudeen Baruwa NURTW takeover Abuja event.
He said following the court ruling, the union formally notified the Nigerian Police, attaching copies of the court judgements to facilitate the recovery of its secretariat.
However, he noted that the responses were not encouraging, prompting the union to send another notice a few days ago, declaring its intention to take over the secretariat and resume duties in line with the court rulings.
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 judgements 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 organisation and not a troublemaker. No one is above the law.”
Also speaking on the takeover, the General Secretary of the union, Suleiman Musa, said that despite several appeals, those occupying the premises unlawfully refused to vacate. Furthermore, the Tajudeen Baruwa NURTW takeover Abuja has been closely monitored by the authorities.
Musa said, “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.”
Recall that the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) and the Court of Appeal had prohibited interference in the operations of the Baruwa-led NURTW executive.
The NICN, in its ruling in suit number NICN/ABJ/263/2023, delivered by Hon. O.O. Oyewumi, affirmed Baruwa as the duly elected president of the union.
Similarly, the Court of Appeal in Abuja, in a judgement delivered on the appeal marked CA/ABJ/CV/293/2024, with a certified true copy, confirmed Baruwa as the legitimate president of the NURTW. To clarify further, Tajudeen Baruwa NURTW takeover Abuja also received broad media coverage.
The appellate court’s decision upheld an earlier judgement of the lower court, which was delivered on March 11, 2024, where Baruwa was recognised as the union’s president.
A three-member panel comprising Justices Hamma Akawu Barka, Nnamdi Dimgba, and Asmau Ojuolape Akanbi dismissed the appeal filed by Najeem Usman Yasin, Tajudeen Agbede, and others, ruling that the appeal lacked merit.
The court therefore upheld the industrial court’s decision, which validated Baruwa’s presidency.
The appellate court further awarded N100,000 in costs against the appellants, who are known loyalists of Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly 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.
