Femi Falana, a human rights activist and lawyer, has urged the federal government to reinstate Tajudeen Baruwa as president of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

In a statement on Monday, Mr Falana specifically called on Attorney-General Lateef Fagbemi and Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to ensure strict compliance with the judgments of the National Industrial Court and the Court of Appeal.

“Justice delayed is justice denied. It is time for the federal government to act decisively and restore Comrade Baruwa to his rightful position,” Mr Falana said. 

The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal in Abuja had, on November 8, affirmed Mr Baruwa as the re-elected NURTW national president.

The judgement delivered by the trio of Justices Hamma Barka, Nnamdi Dimgba and Asmau Akanbi also dismissed the appeal by Najeem Yasin, Tajudeen Agbede, Aliyu Isa Ore, Kayode Agbeyangi, Alhasan Haruna 313, Aliyu Tanimu, Hakeem Adeosun. It awarded a cost of N100,000 against the appellants.

The court upheld the National Industrial Court’s March 11, 2024, judgment favouring Mr Baruwa after a prolonged dispute within the union over power struggles. 

Meanwhile, Musiliu “MC Oluomo” Akinsanya, the former chairman of the NURTW in Lagos State, was on November 9 elected the union’s national president by delegates from Ogun, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti states at the union’s zonal secretariat in Osogbo, a development many criticised.

However, Mr Falana maintained that the rule of law should be respected and adhered to.

He stressed that Mr Baruwa’s reinstatement is essential to maintain order and stability within the NURTW, warning that failure to uphold the rule of law could undermine public confidence in the justice system.

“In view of the foregoing, we call on the Attorney General of the Federation and the Inspector General of Police to ensure that Comrade Baruwa is restored to his office in strict compliance with the rulings,” Mr Falana declared.