Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has called on the Federal Government to immediately restore Tajudeen Baruwa as the President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), following a series of court rulings affirming his leadership.

In a statement issued today, Falana urged the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, and Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to ensure the enforcement of the National Industrial Court and Court of Appeal judgments that recognize Baruwa as the union’s rightful leader.

Falana’s plea follows series of events in August 2023, when Baruwa’s leadership was forcibly challenged, where armed thugs stormed the NURTW national secretariat in Abuja, resulting in the death of a security officer.

Baruwa and several other union officials were arrested and charged with criminal conspiracy, homicide, and public disturbance.

Despite the serious charges, the murder charge was later dropped, and the National Industrial Court ruled in March 2024 that Baruwa and his executive were the legitimate leaders of the NURTW.

The ruling was subsequently contested by Baruwa’s opponents, but on November 8, 2024, the Court of Appeal upheld the National Industrial Court’s judgment.