Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo,.

Appeal Court Overturns MC Oluomo’s Election As NURTW National President

Alhaji Tajudeen Baruwa

FCT, ABUJA, NIGERIA – The Court of Appeal has nullified the election of Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, as the National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

The decision reaffirms Tajudeen Baruwa as the legitimate leader of the union.

MC Oluomo was elected as the new National President by the NURTW Southwest Zone during the Quadrennial Delegate Conference held at the Zonal Secretariat in Osogbo, Osun State.

Following his election, he assumed office at the union’s national secretariat in Abuja, supported by allies, including President Bola Tinubu.

However, court documents released on Friday, November 15, 2024, revealed that the appellate court had ruled against MC Oluomo’s election.

A three-judge panel, comprising Justice Hamma Akawu Barka, Justice Nnamdi Okwy Dimgba, and Justice Asmau Ojuolape Akanbi, unanimously upheld the March 11, 2024, ruling of the National Industrial Court in Abuja. This ruling confirmed the re-election of Tajudeen Baruwa as the National President of the NURTW.

In their decision, the judges dismissed the appeal filed by MC Oluomo and his allies, imposing a fine of ₦100,000 against them.

The enrolled order, signed by Deputy Chief Registrar Judith M. Jabbe and delivered by Justice Hamma Akawu Barka, stated: “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.

“After reviewing the Record of Appeal and respective briefs of argument and hearing from the appellants and respondents’ counsel, this Appeal is devoid of merit and the same is hereby dismissed.”

Tajudeen Baruwa, through his lawyer Tolu Babaleye, strongly criticized MC Oluomo’s inauguration as National President, describing it as a flagrant disregard for judicial rulings. Both the National Industrial Court and the Court of Appeal have upheld Baruwa as the rightful leader of the union.

Baruwa’s camp has maintained that MC Oluomo’s claim to leadership is not only illegitimate but also undermines the rule of law and the integrity of union processes.

The court’s decision solidifies Baruwa’s leadership and reinforces the principle of adherence to judicial rulings within the union. The ruling also marks a turning point in the internal leadership dispute, with the judiciary firmly siding against MC Oluomo’s faction.

The development highlights the ongoing challenges within the NURTW and underscores the importance of legal resolutions in leadership disputes.

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