ABUJA: Court of Appeal Affirms Alhaji Tajudeen Baruwa as Legitimate NURTW President, Awards N100,000 Against Appellants
Court Dismisses Appeal by Najeem Usman Yasin and Others, Upholds March Judgment
Baruwa Calls for Police, AGF Intervention Against Illegal Inauguration of MC Oluomo as NURTW President

Abuja, Nigeria – The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, has reaffirmed the legitimacy of Alhaji Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa as the duly elected President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), dismissing an appeal brought by Najeem Usman Yasin, Tajudeen Agbede, and other petitioners.

The court, in a judgment delivered on Friday, November 8, 2024, affirmed the decision of the National Industrial Court which had earlier recognized Baruwa as the rightful leader of the union.

In its ruling, a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal, led by Justices Hamma Akawu Barka, Nnamdi Okwy Dimgba, and Asmau Ojuolape Akanbi, declared that the appeal challenging Baruwa’s election as NURTW president lacked merit. Consequently, the appeal was dismissed, and the Court upheld the judgment of the National Industrial Court delivered on March 11, 2024, in Suit No. NICN/ABJ/263/2023.

The court also awarded a cost of N100,000 against the appellants in favour of the respondents.

Court Ruling: No Merit in Appeal
The court confirmed that the appeal filed by the appellants, including former NURTW President Alhaji Najeem Usman Yasin and others, lacked legal merit and dismissed it. The ruling solidified Baruwa’s position as the bona fide and legally elected President of the NURTW, putting to rest any claims by rival factions within the union.

In its official judgment, the court ordered:

  • This Appeal is devoid of merit and the same is hereby dismissed.
  • I 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 Appellants and in favour of the Respondents.”

Following the ruling, Baruwa condemned the purported inauguration of Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, as President of NURTW, which took place on November 11, 2024. Baruwa described the event as a flagrant disregard for the rule of law and an affront to the judiciary, especially given the recent judgments of the National Industrial Court and the Court of Appeal which had affirmed his presidency.

Baruwa pointed out that the inauguration was not only illegal but also a direct violation of the March and November court judgments, which had already recognized his legitimate election. According to Baruwa, the actions of Yasin and his supporters represented a deliberate attempt to undermine the authority of the judiciary.

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He said, “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 the Alh. Comrade Ibikunle Tajudeen Baruwa led National Executives of NURTW.

Baruwa Urges Police and AGF to Enforce Court Judgment
Baruwa also called on the Inspector General of Police and the Attorney General of the Federation to intervene and ensure the enforcement of the court’s judgments, warning that failure to do so would pose a serious threat to the rule of law and democracy in Nigeria.

He further stated, We will not stand idly and watch our union hijacked by disgruntled elements led by Alh. Najeem Usman Yasin, who have no regard for the rule of law and are driven by selfish interests.

He reiterated that the NURTW is a lawful entity governed by a constitution that clearly defines the guidelines for elections, and that MC Oluomo, who voluntarily exited the union in 2021, was no longer a member of the union and had no right to assume the presidency.

NURTW Members Urged to Stay Calm and Law-Abiding
Baruwa also appealed to NURTW members across the country to remain calm and law-abiding as the leadership continues to explore legal avenues to remove the unlawful interlopers from the union’s leadership. He urged them to trust in the judicial process and the ongoing efforts to protect the sanctity of the union’s constitution.

In conclusion, Baruwa’s statement underscored the importance of the rule of law and respect for the judiciary in the governance of the union, calling on the relevant authorities to take swift action to uphold the court’s ruling and restore order to the NURTW.