NURTW Crisis Deepens As Court Directs Arrest Of Sego And Secretary

The National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Lagos Division, has ordered the arrest 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 disobedience of court orders.

The court directed the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, the State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other relevant law enforcement agencies to arrest the two officials and take them to the Kirikiri Correctional Centre.

The order was issued on Monday after Adekunle and Teslim failed to appear before the court to explain why they should not be committed to prison for contempt.

Justice Isaac Essien reportedly described their failure to comply with the court’s directives as a brazen act of disobedience, warning that the authority of the judiciary must not be undermined.

The dispute is linked to allegations that NURTW officials continued collecting 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.

The judge also expressed concern 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 prevented him from serving court documents on October 5, 2026.

Justice Essien described the alleged obstruction of the bailiff while carrying out his official duties as a serious development with potentially significant consequences.

The court subsequently adjourned the matter until November 16, 2026, when it is expected to determine whether the two NURTW officials have purged themselves of the alleged contempt.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the latest development adds another chapter to the dispute involving the NURTW and the representation of commercial tricycle operators in Lagos State.