Appeal Court sacks MC Oluomo as NURTW President, affirms Baruwa's legitimacy

• The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal sacked MC Oluomo as NURTW President, affirming Tajudeen Baruwa’s legitimacy
• The court upholds Baruwa’s election as the rightful leader of NURTW, dismissing MC Oluomo’s challenge
• The ruling means Baruwa remains the legal president of the NURTWl

The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has voided the emergence of Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, as the National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW). 

The court also upheld Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa as the legitimate and duly elected president of the union.

In its ruling on Friday, November 15, the three-member panel, led by Justice Hamma Akawu Barka, dismissed the appeal filed by Najeem Usman Yasin, Tajudeen Agbede, and others, who had challenged the earlier judgment of the National Industrial Court. 

The court had ruled in March 2024 that Baruwa was the authentic president of NURTW in the case of Suit No. NICN/ABJ/263/2023.

The Appeal Court affirmed the judgment delivered by the Industrial Court on March 11, 2024, thereby recognising Baruwa as the legally elected leader of NURTW. 

The panel found that the appeal lacked merit, as the legal grounds presented by the appellants were insufficient to overturn the lower court's decision.

Justice Barka, alongside his colleagues Justices Nnamdi Okwy Dimgba and Asmau Ojuolape Akanbi concluded that Baruwa’s election had been legitimate and that his position as president was in accordance with the law. 

MC Oluomo's challenge to court ruling

Despite being recently elected and sworn in as the NURTW president, MC Oluomo's position was deemed illegal by the court. 

His election was considered a direct challenge to Baruwa’s court-sanctioned presidency. 

Baruwa, who has served as the union's president since his election, has previously expressed strong opposition to MC Oluomo’s ascension, describing it as a "blatant disregard for the rule of law" and an "affront to the judiciary."

During a press conference in Abuja, Baruwa condemned the actions of MC Oluomo and those supporting him, arguing that their efforts to undermine the court's authority threatened the unity and stability of the NURTW. 

He stressed that the rule of law must always prevail in democratic processes, especially within organizations that serve millions of Nigerians.

The legal dispute over the NURTW presidency has sparked significant tension within the union, with both factions—those loyal to Baruwa and those backing MC Oluomo—vowing to continue their fight. 

The controversy began when MC Oluomo, a prominent figure in the Lagos transport sector, assumed the presidency, citing his election at a separate convention. 

However, Baruwa’s faction contested the legitimacy of Oluomo's election, arguing that it was in violation of the court’s earlier ruling recognising Baruwa as president.

‘You’re hailing a thug,’ VeryDarkMan calls out Iyabo Ojo for congratulating MC Oluomo

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Social media activist and influencer Martins Ortse, popularly known as VeryDarKMan, has called out Veteran actress Iyabo Ojo for extending her congratulations to Musiliu Akinsanya, known as MC Oluomo. 

MC Oluomo was recently appointed the National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) on Monday, November 11, 2024.