NURTW secretariat invasion: MC Oluomo reclaims office as union demands due process
From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja About 24 hours after he was sacked, the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) President, Musiliu Akinsanya (aka MC Oluomo), is back to his office.
From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja
About 24 hours after he was sacked, the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) President, Musiliu Akinsanya (aka MC Oluomo), is back to his office.
Oluomo described the takeover by the former president, Tajudeen Baruwa, on Monday as forceful, insisting that Baruwa’s action was illegal.
He stated that he was not a party to the judgment that Baruwa relied upon to carry out his action, ading that the ruling had been appealed and a stay of execution obtained.
Oluomo also said said he had not engaged with any of the parties involved, as several cases on the matter remain before the courts.
The national president said though he was not a defendant in the judgment, which Baruwa relied on, adding that he had appealed.
Has condemned the alleged invasion of its national secretariat in Abuja by suspected hoodlums, describing the incident as a breach of due process and a threat to industrial harmony.
In a statement, the General Secretary of the union, Kayode Agbeyangi, alleged that the former president of the union stormed the secretariat in the early hours of Monday, purportedly acting on a court judgment without prior notice.
He stated that the takeover, which occurred around 7:00 a.m, disrupted their activities, preventing staff members and officials from resuming work.
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Agbeyangi said: “The action was unlawful, the former president should have followed established legal procedures rather than resorting to force. The union had instructed its legal team to challenge the judgment, noting that an appeal and a stay of execution had been filed, while alleging that properties within the secretariat, including items belonging to a training centre in the complex, were vandalised and carted away during the invasion.
“Several cases involving the union are still pending before the National Industrial Court, some of which predate the judgment being enforced, furniture and other valuables were destroyed, despite efforts made since 2023 to maintain peace within the union through reconciliation among stakeholders and former leaders.”
‘‘We are calling on security agencies, the media, and members of the public to take note of the situation by witnessing the level of destruction at the secretariat. All parties should allow the rule of law to prevail.
The and a stay of execution has been duly entered, he added. He urged members of the union to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding, assuring that the situation is under control with security agencies as the dispute continues to unfold.
