The Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan has ruled that Governor Seyi Makinde’s 2019 suspension of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Oyo State was unlawful. The court’s decision overturned the lower court’s dismissal of the union’s suit challenging the suspension.
Governor Makinde had proscribed NURTW’s activities statewide on May 31, 2019, citing breaches of peace and ordering government takeover of motor parks. The NURTW contested this move, leading to a legal battle. The union’s counsel, Femi Falana (SAN), argued the state government lacked authority to suspend a trade union registered under the Trade Union Act.
A three-man Appeal Court panel led by Justice Kenneth Amadi found the Oyo State Government failed to provide evidence justifying the suspension based on breach of peace or public order. The court allowed the appeal, setting aside the suspension and the lower court’s judgment.
Concurring, Justice Biobele Georgewill criticized the state’s handling, emphasizing lawful maintenance of order. The ruling underscores that state actions must align with legal frameworks, and arbitrary suspensions of registered unions are not permissible.
The decision is seen as a significant legal victory for NURTW in Oyo State.
