NURTW PRESIDENTIAL SAGA: Reinstate Baruwa as NURTW President, Falana tells FG

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, has called on the Nigerian Federal Government to reinstate Comrade Tajudeen Baruwa as the National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

In a statement issued, Falana urged the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Kayode Egbetokun, to enforce the rulings and reinstate Baruwa without delay.

His demand follows the controversial election of Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, as the union’s president by its Southwest Zone on November 9, 2024.

The election of MC Oluomo has sparked division within the union, with many members condemning the process.

NURTW leadership, led by Comrade Baruwa, recently dismissed Oluomo’s inauguration as illegal, citing judgments from both the National Industrial Court and the Court of Appeal that affirmed Baruwa as the legitimate leader.

Recounting the series of events, Falana revealed that on August 28, 2023, armed thugs stormed the NURTW National Secretariat in Abuja.

The violent attack resulted in the death of a security officer and the arrest of Baruwa and his executive members. Although they were charged with murder, the case was later withdrawn after the illegal takeover of the Secretariat.

Seeking justice, Baruwa approached the National Industrial Court, which ruled in his favor on March 11, 2024, recognizing him as the union’s president.

Dissatisfied with the ruling, Baruwa’s opponents appealed the decision. However, on November 8, 2024, the Court of Appeal upheld the lower court’s judgment, reaffirming Baruwa’s leadership.

Falana stated, “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.”