The Court of Appeal in Ibadan has overturned the 2019 suspension of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Oyo State, declaring the action taken by Governor Seyi Makinde unlawful and unconstitutional.
The court ruled that the Oyo State Government failed to provide evidence of any breach of peace or public order that would justify the suspension of the union’s activities.
The NURTW had been suspended since May 31, 2019, when Governor Makinde announced the proscription of the union’s activities across the state, citing a breakdown of law and order.
The union’s counsel, Femi Falana, argued that the state government lacked the legal authority to suspend or proscribe a trade union registered under the Trade Union Act.
The appellate court held that the governor’s action was an overreach of executive power and that the state government should have instead allowed law enforcement agencies to address any violent activities.
