Despite Court Orders, MC Oluomo Boasts Only Tinubu Can Remove Him As NURTW Chairman

 

Barrister Tolu Babaleye, counsel to Comrade Ibikunle Tajudeen Baruwa in the ongoing National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) leadership dispute, has accused President Bola Tinubu of backing his ally, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, in the “illegal occupation” of the union’s presidency, despite a subsisting court ruling that removed him from office

Babaleye accused President Tinubu of encouraging MC Oluomo to flout court judgments and operate with impunity, noting that the alleged backing by the President has emboldened MC Oluomo to boast that only the President can remove him from the office.

Speaking during a press conference in Lagos, the lawyer expressed frustration over the persistent disregard for judicial authority despite a clear ruling recognising Baruwa as the legitimate NURTW President.

“In my experience as a lawyer, as soon as we get a judgment, we would congratulate the person who wins, especially if it is the judgment of the last court, because we can be sure it will be obeyed,” Babaleye said.

“But in this one, it has been very difficult. In fact, we have written to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) about this. We have written to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) about this. We have written to so many people on this matter. We even wrote to the National Security Adviser (NSA).”

He further disclosed that efforts to involve security authorities had yielded no concrete outcome, alleging that MC Oluomo ignored an official invitation.

“They (NSA) attended to our letter and invited MC Oluomo to Lagos, he didn’t come, his lawyer came. A date was given for him to return, but when I spoke with the people, they said he said they should not worry, that he would not return, and till today, we didn’t hear anything about that letter again,” he said.

“It is as if he is above the law. And the issue is that he has a father in Israel, because he has been dropping names with the Presidency.”

The lawyer also said that during a meeting with the Minister of Labour, MC Oluomo openly declared that his position in the union could only be altered by the President.