The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, has upheld Alhaji Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa as the legitimate President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).
The court also affirmed the judgment of the National Industrial Court delivered on March 11, 2024, in Suit No. NICN/ABJ/263/2023.
In its ruling, the appellate court dismissed the appeal filed by Najeem Usman Yasin, Tajudeen Agbede, and others, challenging the Industrial Court’s decision recognizing Baruwa as President, stating that the appeal lacked merit.
According to the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment, referenced Appeal No. CA/ABJ/CV/293/2024, the three-member panel, comprising Justices Hamma Akawu Barka, Nnamdi Okwy Dimgba, and Asmau Ojuolape Akanbi, delivered the decision on Friday, November 8. The panel declared Baruwa as the bona fide and legally elected President of the union.
Additionally, the appellate court imposed a cost of ₦100,000 against the appellants in favor of the respondents.
The court enrolment order reads, “THIS COURT ON FRIDAY THE 8TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2024
“UPON READING the Record of Appeal compiled and transmitted before this court together with the respective briefs of argument; AND AFTER HEARING, O. I. Olorundare, SAN with F.T Sotikare, esq) Jimoh Balogun,
COURT OF APPEAL ABUJA DIVISION
CERTIFIED TRUE COPY
Esq O. D. Emole, Esq 1. Yunanah Esq) for the Appellants Tolu Babaleye Esq with Adeniyi Adejoke Esq Maku Oluwatoyin Esq B. T Ataine Esq for the Respondents.
ALHAMDU S UMARU HEAD PROCESS
HAMMA A. BARKA JUSTICE COURT OF APPEAL IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:
1: This Appeal is devoid of merit and the same is hereby dismissed.
- 1 affirm the Judgment of the Trial Court delivered on the 11th day of March, 2024 in respect of Suit No. NICN/ABJ/263/2023.
- I award the Cost of N100,000 against the Appellant and in favour of the Respondents”
While addressing a press conference in Abuja over the purported inauguration of Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya Alias (MC Oluomo) as President of the union, Baruwa described the action as blatant disregard and disrespect for the rule of law and affront to judiciary.
He said the purported inauguration was not only laughable but also an affront on the judiciary as it violates the March 11th and November 8th judgments of the National Industrial Court and Court of Appeal which restrained the Alh. Najeem Usman Yasin led interlopers from interfering in the activities of the union and the day-to-day administration of Alh. Comrade Ibikunle Tjudeen Baruwa led National Executives of NURTW.
He said NURTW is a creation of the law with an approved constitution that stipulates the guidelines for elections into offices.
He called on the Inspector General of Police and Attorney General of the Federation to intervene to ensure the enforcement of the Court judgment in the interest of peace, order and tranquillity, and the rule of law.
The statement read, “The law-abiding National Executives of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) were jolted on Monday 11th November 2024 as we read with utter disbelief, news on social media, the purported inauguration of Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya, aka MC Oluomo as the President of NURTW in flagrant disobedience to subsisting judgments of both the National Industrial Court and Court of Appeal delivered on 11th March and November 8th 2024 respectively; which affirmed the election of Alh. Comrade Ibikunle Tajudeen Baruwa as the legitimate President of the NURTW for a term of four years.
“The purported inauguration is not only laughable but also an affront to the judiciary as it violates the March 11th and November 8th judgments of the National Industrial Court and Court of Appeal which restrained the Alh. Najeem Usman Yasin led interlopers from interfering in the activities of the union and the day-to-day administration of Alh. Comrade Ibikunle Tjudeen Baruwa led National Executives of NURTW.
“The action of Alh. Najeem Usman Yasin led lawless group that undermines the authority of the judiciary and also a serious threat to democracy.
“The NURTW is a creation of the law with an approved Constitution that stipulates the guidelines for elections into offices of the union which were brazenly disregarded.
“It is an indisputable fact that Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya, MC Oluomo has since lost his membership of the NURTW in line with the Constitution of the union having voluntarily exited the union in March 9th 2021 during which he publicly tore his membership card.
“There is no vacancy in the office of the President of NURTW and so the purported and illegal inauguration is to that extent null, void and of effect whatsoever.
“This charade as orchestrated by Alh. Najeem Usman Yasin, the former President of the union who benefited immensely from the union is an insult to the judiciary and our democratic institutions. We will therefore not stand idly and watch our union hijacked disgruntle element lead by Alh. Najeem Usman Yasin who have no regard for the rule of law for their selfish interests. It is on record that Alh. Najeem Usman Yasin has served out his two tenures of 4 years per term as President of the union.
“The Inspector General of Police to kindly use his good offices in ensuring the enforcement of the Court judgment.
“The Attorney General of the Federation to kindly intervene immediately in the interest of peace, order and tranquillity, and the rule of law.
“All members of our great union across the country to remain calm as we explore every legal means towards ejecting the Alh. Najeem Usman Yasin led interlopers from the NURTW NHQs.”