Appeal Court sacks MC Oluomo as NURTW national president

A Court of Appeal in Abuja has nullified the election affirming Musiliu Akinsanya, also known as Olu-Omo, as the national president of the National Union of Road Transport Workers.

Akinsanya was elected the NURTW national president last Saturday during a delegate conference at the union’s zonal secretariat in Osogbo, Osun State.

The election was monitored and observed by the union’s acting National President, Aliyu Issa-Ore.

However, the Court of Appeal in Abuja affirmed Tajudeen Baruwa as the re-elected NURTW national president

The Court also okayed the judgement of the National Industrial Court delivered on March 11, 2024, in respect of Suit No. NICN/ABJ/263/2023, which declared Baruwa as NURTW president.

The court held that the appeal filed by Alh. Najeem Usman Yasin, Alh. Tajudeen Agbede and others challenging the decision of the Industrial Court that recognised Baruwa as President lacked merit and therefore dismissed it.

The three-member panel of Justices, Hamma Akawu Barka, Nnamdi Dimgba and Asmau Ojuolape Akanbi, consequently declared Baruwa as the legally elected President of the union.

The appellate court also awarded the sum of N100,000 against the Appellants who are loyalists of MC Oluomo in favour of the Respondents.

Baruwa at a press conference described Oluomo’s inauguration as not only laughable, but also an affront on the judiciary as it violated the March 11 and November 8 judegments of the National Industrial Court and Court of Appeal, which restrained the Yasin-led faction from interfering in the activities of the union and the day to day administration of 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 Inspector General of Police and Attorney General of the Federation to intervene to ensure the enforcement of the Appeal Court judgement in the interest of peace, order and tranquillity, and the rule of law.