Human rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has called on the Federal Government to immediately reinstate Comrade Tajudeen Baruwa as the President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), following subsisting court rulings.
LEADERSHIP reports that Musiliu Akinsanya, known as MC Oluomo, who is the former chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the union, was sworn in as NURTW President in Abuja a few days ago. However, the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has since affirmed Baruwa as the rightful holder of the office.
In a statement released on Monday, Falana urged the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), as well as the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to ensure the enforcement of the National Industrial Court and Court of Appeal judgments, which recognized Baruwa as the legitimate leader of the union.
The statement, titled “FG Should Restore Comrade Tajudeen Baruwa as President of NURTW Without Delay,” outlined the legal victories affirming Baruwa’s leadership. Falana described the violent events that led to Baruwa’s removal, noting: “On August 28, 2023, a gang of armed thugs invaded the National Secretariat of the National Union of Road Transport Workers in Abuja. One of the security men guarding the Secretariat was killed by the armed invaders.”
Following the invasion, the Secretariat was seized, and Baruwa and members of his executive were arrested and charged with murder. The murder charges were later withdrawn and struck out after the illegal seizure of the Secretariat.
Falana further explained that Baruwa pursued legal redress in the National Industrial Court, which, on March 11, 2024, ruled in his favor, confirming him and his executive as the duly elected leaders of the NURTW. The Court of Appeal upheld this judgment on November 8, 2024, dismissing an appeal from those challenging Baruwa’s leadership.
“The Justices of the Court dismissed the appeal and confirmed the judgment of the National Industrial Court, which had recognized Comrade Baruwa as the President of the NURTW,” Falana stated.
Falana concluded by reiterating his call for the Federal Government to act promptly: “In view of the foregoing, we call on the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi SAN, and the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Kayode Egbetokun, to ensure that Comrade Baruwa is restored to his office in strict compliance with the judgments of the National Industrial Court and the Court of Appeal.”
