The National Union of Road Transport Workers ( NURTW ) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun and Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi to prevail on the former President of the union Najeem Usman Yasin to vacate the union’s National Secretariat in line with the order of the court to avoid breakdown of law and order.
The President of the union, Alhaji Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa stated this on Thursday in Abuja at a press conference addressed by lawyer, Tolu Babaleye on the judgment of the National Industrial Court delivered on March 11,2024 by Justice O.O Oyewumi which affirmed Baruwa as validly elected President for the union for a second term.
He described the statement made by Najeem in a viral video as contemptuous and affront to the court where he made a derogatory statement in an attempt to downplay the authority of the court that ‘ the judgment of the court amounted to nothing and that they have resolved to install one Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya aka ( MC Oluomo ) as National President of the union and also install one Mustapha Adekunle as Lagos State Chairman.
“ We are aware of a video on social media where Alhaji Najeem Yasin gathered some people telling them that there is nothing the court can do.
“ I want to sound a note of warning that Alh. Najeem Yasin should be aware there is a court order restraining him from interfering in the affairs of the union.
“ We are using this opportunity to call on the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Federation, Minister of Labour and Employment, Inspector General of Police, AIG Zone 7, FCT Commissioner of Police to give effect to the judgement of National Industrial Court recognising Alhaji Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa as valid and substantive elected President of NURTW. The lawyer said.
He narrated how Najeem’s illegal group executed a coup d’état to hijack the National Secretariat of the union with the help of the police who unjustly arrested Baruwa and other executed members and later charge them to court for the offense they never committed.
According to Babaleye “ On 11th March 2024 a judgment was delivered in which the election of Alh. Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa was confirmed as valid and that nothing should be to stop him from performing as democratically elected President of the union along with all other members of National Executive Council.
“ The court granted all the reliefs sought by the claimants except in relief 1 in the Originating Summons. Relief 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,8,9 and 10 were granted in favour of Baruwa and other others.
“ Relief 9 succeeds only to the extent that the 1st defendant ( Alhaji Najeem Yasin ) as Chairman Board of Trustees has no right to interfere in the day to day running of the affairs the union. As the role of the board of trustees, is only limited to advisory role and does not include interfering with the running of activities of the Union.
The court also declared the action of the 4th Defendant ( Kayode Agbeyangi ) who has been parading himself as Acting General Secretary as null and void, unlawful and of no effect therefore affirming Comrade Suleiman Abdulkadir as Acting General Secretary of the union.
On his own part Alhaji Tajudeen Ibikunle appealed to the members of the union across the state to remain calm adding that the relevant authorities would do the needful and ensure that the court is obeyed.
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