Falana Faults Oyo Govt’s For Disobeying Court Verdict On Union’s Suspension

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has accused the Oyo State government of disobeying a valid Court of Appeal judgement that nullified the state’s suspension of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

Falana, in a letter addressed to the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Abiodun Aikomo, faulted the state’s alleged “misrepresentation” of the appellate court’s ruling, warning that further defiance could lead to contempt proceedings.

According to him, it is unfortunate that “you have substituted your views for the judgment of the Court of Appeal without any legal basis.

“The court never held that NURTW remains suspended from collecting dues from motor parks and garages in the state,” he wrote.

He reminded the attorney-general that Section 287(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) makes it mandatory for all authorities and persons to enforce appellate court decisions.

“If you are not prepared to comply with the judgement, we shall not hesitate to initiate contempt proceedings and report you to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee,” Falana warned.

The letter, also copied to the Oyo State Commissioner of Police and Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), emphasised that the Court of Appeal ruling in CA/IB/263/2022 – NURTW v. Governor of Oyo State & Ors. explicitly set aside Governor Seyi Makinde’s suspension of the union’s operations.

Falana, the union’s counsel, emphasised that the Oyo State government’s continued refusal to reinstate the NURTW’s lawful operations contravenes the Constitution and undermines the sanctity of the judiciary.

The senior advocate urged the attorney-general to immediately advise the governor to comply fully with the appellate court’s decision to restore the NURTW’s activities and rights in Oyo State or risk contempt proceedings.

Meanwhile, the Oyo State NURTW chairman, Alhaji Abideen Olajide (known as Ejiogbe), said the union was ready to resume work.

“We are a law-abiding organisation. We have no problem coexisting with the motor park managers who handle revenue collection for the government. Our focus is on the welfare of our members across the state,” Ejiogbe said.