The leadership crisis rocking the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) took a deeper turn on Wednesday as counsel to Comrade Ibikunle Baruwa, Mr. Tolu Babaleye, warned that the dispute would persist unless subsisting court judgments are enforced.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, Babaleye described the situation as a “constitutional crisis,” alleging that the willful disobedience of court orders by security agencies and the executive arm of government has undermined the rule of law.
He stressed that Baruwa remains the duly elected and court-recognised National President of the union, having secured three separate judgments from the National Industrial Court and the Court of Appeal affirming his mandate.
According to Babaleye, despite the courts’ clear pronouncements, authorities have failed to implement the rulings for over 2.5 years.
“As long as that judgment is not executed, there will be a crisis in the NURTW.
“The present occupants cannot organise any valid election because they are unknown to the law. You cannot put something on nothing and expect it to stand,” he said.
He noted that several letters were written to the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies requesting enforcement of the judgments, but these were allegedly ignored.
The matter, he added, was escalated to the Minister of Labour and the Attorney General of the Federation. While the Minister convened meetings between the factions, the Attorney General referred the issue for legal advice — a move the lawyer described as a stalling tactic.
Babaleye further alleged that although a legal opinion was eventually prepared, it was not signed, with claims that “the Presidency was interested in the matter.”
The lawyer decried what he termed a dangerous trend of disobedience to court orders, tracing its roots to past administrations.
“Well, it is only under a military regime that we have court judgments being disobeyed with such impunity,” he said. “This trend became pronounced during the last administration, and it is very unfortunate.”
He warned that such actions erode the foundations of democracy and set a dangerous precedent in which individuals act above the law.
“Power is transient. Whatever you do today becomes your scorecard tomorrow,” he added.
Babaleye disclosed that the legal team had written to several institutions, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and the Office of the National Security Adviser, seeking intervention.
He said the NSA’s office initially responded and invited parties for discussions in Lagos, but the process stalled after one party allegedly refused to honour subsequent invitations.
“It is as if some individuals believe they are above the law,” he said.
He further alleged that a rival claimant openly declared that only the President of Nigeria could compel him to vacate the office.
“What kind of impunity is that? Does it mean you must know the President before a valid court judgment can be enforced?” he queried.
Narrating recent developments, Babaleye said Baruwa, after waiting for over 30 months without enforcement of the judgments, decided to exercise his constitutional rights.
On Monday, March 23, 2026, he peacefully moved into the NURTW national secretariat in Abuja and assumed office without resistance.
However, the situation took a dramatic turn when the Nigeria Police Force allegedly intervened, arrested Baruwa, and charged him with public disturbance.
The lawyer described the charge as “baseless,” arguing that his client was merely enforcing rights already granted by the courts.
Security Agencies Accused of Bias
Babaleye further alleged that on Tuesday, March 24, security agencies, including the police, Nigerian Army, and Civil Defence Corps, escorted a rival figure into the NURTW office.
He claimed the individual was neither a contestant in the union’s election nor a party to the litigation but was installed under a heavy security presence.
“What we witnessed was not law enforcement but a coordinated effort to subvert the judiciary,” he said.
He accused the police of refusing to cooperate, even in ongoing contempt-of-court proceedings against those allegedly disobeying court orders.
Describing the development as a grave assault on the judiciary, Babaleye warned that Nigeria risks descending into lawlessness if court decisions are no longer respected.
“If a man with three valid court judgments cannot enjoy the benefit of those judgments, then the rule of law is in danger,” he said.
He expressed frustration over the situation, stating that it diminishes the value of the legal profession.
“As a lawyer, I am ashamed. If, after all efforts, a judgment cannot be executed, how are we different from ordinary artisans?” he asked.
The lawyer called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene by directing security agencies to enforce the judgments and restore Baruwa to office.
He also urged the Nigerian Bar Association, National Judicial Council, and civil society organisations to speak out against what he described as a “rape of the judicial system.”
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official response from the police, the Attorney General’s office, or other relevant authorities.
