The Nigeria Police Force has intervened as the Tajudeen Baruwa-led faction of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) moved to reclaim the union’s national secretariat in Abuja from Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, following a prolonged legal dispute.
Members of Baruwa’s faction arrived at the NURTW secretariat early on Monday with court judgments affirming him as the legitimate president of the union.
Speaking to journalists at the secretariat, Baruwa, alongside his supporters, said their action was based on court rulings in their favour.
“We have attached copies of the court judgments to notify the Nigerian Police and facilitate the recovery of the NURTW secretariat,” he said.
Baruwa said the union had earlier informed the authorities, but the response was not encouraging, which led to the decision to proceed.
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“Their body language has not been encouraging despite repeated assurance that we are law-abiding and are only here to reclaim what belongs to us,” he said. “Today, as you can see, we are taking over in a peaceful manner. This is not a forceful takeover; we are simply carrying out the court’s orders.”
He added, “After waiting for about two years and obtaining judgments at both the lower court and the Appeal Court, we decided to resume at the office today without causing violence. Although one of our members was attacked and is now in the hospital, the situation is under control. We are still open to reconciliation because we are a lawful organisation. No one is above the law.”
The National Industrial Court in Abuja ruled in March 2024 that Baruwa was duly elected for a second term. The Court of Appeal upheld the decision in November 2024, dismissing the challenge by MC Oluomo’s faction and awarding costs of N100,000 against them.
Baruwa’s faction said it had waited nearly two years to regain control of the secretariat, which it claimed had been unlawfully occupied. It also stated that it notified the police ahead of the move to ensure a peaceful process.
Speaking during the takeover, the faction’s General Secretary, Suleiman Musa, said the union would continue to act within the law.
“We have notified the police that, on the order of the court, we are coming back to our office today,” Musa said. “We are glad journalists are here to witness it so that the world can see what is happening.”
The leadership crisis in the union followed disagreements after the last elections, including the disputed inauguration of MC Oluomo.
MC Oluomo’s faction rejected the move, describing the takeover as a ruse. Attempts to reach Kayode Abbey Angina, the factional General Secretary, were unsuccessful, but a source said Baruwa had been arrested and might not regain control of the secretariat.