The Court of Appeal has affirmed Mr Tajudeen Baruwa and not Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, as the National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW.
In a ruling that upheld the earlier judgement of the National Industrial Court, the appellate court sacked MC Oluomo and reaffirmed Tajudeen Baruwa as the legitimate leader of the union.
Baruwa had assumed office after a properly conducted election held at the union’s headquarters in Abuja.
The three-member panel of the Appeal Court dismissed the appeal filed by MC Oluomo’s faction, declaring it devoid of merit.
In addition, the court imposed a fine of ₦100,000 on the appellants, further solidifying Baruwa’s leadership position.
Court documents released on Friday detailed the ruling, which effectively countered any attempts to displace Baruwa from his role as the NURTW president.
The judgment reads: “This is an appeal against the judgment/decision of the National Industrial Court Sitting in Abuja, in Suit No. NICN/ABJ/263/2023, delivered on the 11th March, 2024, by Justice O. O. Oyewumi.
“Upon reading the Record of Appeal compiled and transmitted before this court, together with the respective briefs of argument, and after hearing the counsels for the appellants and respondents, it is hereby ordered that:
“This Appeal is devoid of merit, and the same is hereby dismissed.”
The ruling reinforces the legitimacy of Baruwa’s presidency, concluding the legal dispute over the union’s leadership.
Credible News recalls that Akinsanya was last Saturday purportedly elected the new National President of the union.
Akinsanya was the only candidate who stood the election which was held at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat in Osogbo.
Participants at the poll were delegates from the four South-West states of Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, and Ekiti.
The election which took place during the Quadrennial Delegate Conference of the Union was monitored and observed by the acting National President of the group, Aliyu Issa-Ore.
Issa-Ore while addressing the gathering, said the union’s constitution stipulated that the zone that has been allowed to fill the post of the National President would elect its preferred choice and present him or her to the national body.
The NURTW acting President, who was represented by the Head of Finance, National Headquarters, Abuja, Mrs Adedamola Salam, further said, “The South-West zone has fully complied with the constitution in electing Oluomo as the President.”
The delegates also elected Tajudeen Agbede as Vice President, South-West while Akeem Adeosun, emerged as Trustee from the Zone.
Shortly after taking oath of office, Akinsanya who was flanked by associates and family members, called for peace and pledged commitment to pursue unity among members.
“I have forgiven everyone that offends me and I wished those I offend would forgive me as well.
“This is our union and we must be committed to its preservation. We will not allow anyone to destroy our means of livelihood”, he said.
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