Court Orders Arrest Of Lagos NURTW Chairman Over Alleged Disobedience Of Judgement

The Lagos Division of the National Industrial Court has ordered the arrest and detention of the Lagos State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Mustapha Adio Adekunle, popularly known as Sego, and the union’s Secretary, Usman Teslim, over their alleged continued disobedience of a judgment.

The court had restrained the union from interfering with commercial tricycle operations in the state.

Justice Isaac Essien issued the warrant for the arrest of the two officials after they failed to appear in court to explain why they should not be committed to prison for contempt.

On 16 November, Justice Essien directed the Lagos State Commissioner of Police and other security agencies to arrest the officials wherever they are found and detain them pending further proceedings.

The judge held that the contempt defendants repeatedly disregarded the court’s authority, despite earlier directives requiring them to appear and show cause why they should not be imprisoned for allegedly violating its judgment.

During the proceedings, counsel for the sixth judgment debtor, Babatunde Lawal, could not produce the two officials, as previously directed.

The development angered Justice Essien, who declined to entertain further submissions from the lawyer until the officials were brought before the court.

Appearing on behalf of another senior lawyer, Dr Muiz Banire (SAN), human rights lawyer Femi Falana appealed for an adjournment to enable him to communicate the court’s position to the officials and secure their attendance.

But the judge rejected the request, insisting that the authority and integrity of the judiciary could not be compromised by persistent disobedience of its orders.

“I have heard you, but I hate to refuse you. This is for the integrity, honour and sanctity of the court. If everybody disobeys court orders, then the court is finished,” Justice Essien said.

He subsequently directed the police and other law enforcement agencies to apprehend the two union officials.

The judge also expressed concern over allegations that court officials had been prevented from serving processes on parties affected by the judgment.

A court bailiff, Ayo Moses, had filed an affidavit alleging that the Chief Security Officer of the sixth judgment debtor obstructed him from serving court documents at the premises on 5 October 2026.

Justice Essien described the alleged obstruction of a court official carrying out his lawful duties as serious.

Dispute Over Control of Tricycle Operations

The contempt proceedings arose from a protracted dispute involving the Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria (TOAN), NURTW and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) over the administration of commercial tricycle operations in Lagos.

In a judgment delivered on 11 December 2025, the court recognised TOAN’s independent authority over commercial tricycle operations and restrained the Lagos State Government, its Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Commissioner for Transportation, NURTW, RTEAN and other affected parties from interfering with the association’s activities.

The court also directed the state government to set aside a white paper proposing to merge the operations of TOAN and NURTW, holding that the arrangement encroached on powers constitutionally reserved for the Registrar of Trade Unions.

However, TOAN subsequently accused NURTW officials of continuing to interfere with its operations despite the judgment.

The association alleged that the union’s officials continued to collect daily, weekly, and security levies from commercial tricycle operators, prompting it to return to court to seek enforcement of the judgment and to commence committal proceedings against those allegedly responsible.

The NURTW officials had earlier challenged aspects of the contempt proceedings, including the service of court processes, and referred to steps taken to appeal the substantive judgment.

The court, however, rejected their objections and directed them to appear on 15 October 2026 to show cause why they should not be committed to prison for allegedly disobeying its orders.

Their failure to comply with that directive culminated in the arrest and detention order.

The case was adjourned until 16 November for further proceedings.