- Appeal Court overturns Oyo Government suspension of NURTW, calling it unlawful and unjustified.
- The judges ruled that the state failed to provide evidence of misconduct or breach of peace by the union.
- Justice Kenneth Amadi described the earlier ruling of the lower court as a miscarriage of justice.
- The appellate court restored NURTW’s operations in Oyo State and vacated the lower court’s judgment.
The Court of Appeal in Ibadan, Oyo State, has nullified the suspension of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) by the Oyo State Government, describing the move as unlawful and without any legal justification.
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The unanimous ruling came from a three-man panel led by Justices Biobele Georgewill, Kenneth Ikechukwu Amadi, and Fadawu Umaru. Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Amadi faulted the decision of the lower court that had upheld the state government’s action, stressing that it amounted to a miscarriage of justice.
Justice Amadi noted that the allegations presented by the government were speculative, lacking in facts, and not tied to any specific misconduct by members of the union. He explained that claims of intimidation and breach of peace were not supported by any verifiable incident.
“I have carefully reviewed the facts presented. Apart from unsubstantiated claims of unrest and intimidation by the appellant, no concrete evidence was provided by the respondents to justify suspending the union’s operations,” Justice Amadi said.
With this judgment, the Court of Appeal allowed the appeal, set aside the suspension imposed on NURTW, and vacated the earlier decision of the National Industrial Court that had affirmed the government’s action.
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In his concurring judgment, Justice Biobele Georgewill criticised the Oyo State Government’s handling of the matter. While noting that the governor has the constitutional duty to maintain peace and order, he emphasised that such powers must always be exercised lawfully and within the framework of justice.
The ruling has now paved the way for NURTW to fully resume its operations in Oyo State.
