Following a series of court decisions that altered the union's power structure, Tajudeen Baruwa assumed leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers' national secretariat in Abuja, displacing Musiliu Akinsanya, also known as MC Oluomo. This marked a dramatic turn in the union's leadership crisis. Speaking to reporters at the secretariat on Monday after regaining power, Baruwa claimed that two court rulings in his favor supported his actions. He was accompanied by supporters from all over the nation. He said that in order to aid in the recovery of its secretariat, the union formally informed the Nigerian Police after the victory and included copies of the court rulings.
He pointed out that the union sent another notice a few days ago, stating its desire to take over the secretariat and begin activities in accordance with the court judgments, because the responses were not promising.
The General Secretary, Suleiman Musa, further defended the seizure by claiming that the people illegally occupying the property continued to refuse to leave in spite of multiple appeals. Oluomo's inauguration as the union's new president was challenged by Baruwa, who is running for NURTW leadership.
The National Industrial Court and the Court of Appeal already forbade interference with the Baruwa-led NURTW executive's operations. Baruwa was confirmed as the legitimately elected president of the union by the NICN in its decision in suit No. NICN/ABJ/263/2023, which was given by Hon. O.O. Oyewumi.
In a similar spirit, the Abuja appellate court affirmed Baruwa as the rightful president of the National Union of Road Transport Workers in a November 8 ruling on the appeal designated CA/ABJ/CV/293/2024 with a certified true copy.
The ruling affirms a previous lower court ruling that recognized Baruwa as the union's president on March 11, 2024. The appeal submitted by Najeem Usman Yasin, Tajudeen Agbede, and others was dismissed by a three-member panel consisting of Justices Hamma Akawu Barka, Nnamdi Dimgba, and Asmau Ojuolape Akanbi, who determined that the appeal had no merit. As a result, it maintained the ruling of the industrial court, which confirmed Baruwa's presidency.
The appellants, who are well-known supporters of Musiliu Akinsanya, also referred to as MC Oluomo, were also given N100,000 in costs by the appellate court.
Yasin, Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede, Alhaji Aliyu Ore, Kayode Agbeyangi, Alhaji Alhassan Haruna 313, Aliyu Tanimu, and Alhaji Hakeem Adeosun are the appellants in the appeal who were defendants prior to the NICN. Baruwa, Bello Adamu, Eugene Job, Danjuma Saidu, Prince Isah Usman, Suleiman Adamu, and Odion Olaye JP are respondents in the appeal who were claimants before the NICN.