Court orders arrest of Lagos NURTW Chairman, Secretary over contempt

The National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Lagos Division, has ordered the arrest and detention of the Lagos State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Alhaji Mustapha Adekunle, popularly known as Sego, and the union’s Secretary, Usman Teslim, over alleged contempt of court.

Justice Isaac Essien made the order after the two officials failed to appear before the court to explain why they should not be imprisoned for allegedly disobeying its directives.

The judge described their failure to comply with the court orders as a flagrant disregard for judicial authority, warning that the court would not tolerate any attempt to undermine its authority.

Justice Essien also raised concerns over an affidavit of non-service submitted by a court bailiff, Ayo Moses, who alleged that the Chief Security Officer of the sixth judgment debtor stopped him from delivering court processes on October 5, 2026.

The judge described the alleged interference with the bailiff’s official duties as a serious and dangerous development with potentially grave consequences.

The court directed that the two NURTW officials be arrested and remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre for failing to obey its lawful orders.

It further instructed the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, the State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, and other law enforcement agencies to carry out the arrest and hand over the officials to the officer in charge of the correctional facility.

The case was adjourned until November 16, 2026, when the court will consider whether the officials have purged themselves of the alleged contempt.

The dispute arose from allegations that NURTW officials continued to collect daily, weekly, and security tickets from commercial tricycle operators in Lagos despite a December 11, 2025 judgment recognising the Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria, TOAN, as an independent trade union.

Court orders arrest of Lagos NURTW Chairman, Secretary over contempt