Court Orders Arrest of Sego, NURTW Scribe Over Illegal Dues Collection
Court Orders Arrest of Sego, NURTW Scribe Over Illegal Dues Collection….
The National Industrial Court of Nigeria sitting in Lagos has ordered the immediate arrest and committal to prison of the Lagos State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Mustapha Adekunle (popularly known as Sego), and the union’s Secretary, Usman Teslim.
The order was issued on Monday, November 2, 2026, by Justice Isaac Essien (PhD) following the failure of both officials to appear in court to show cause why they should not be remanded for contempt of court.
Addressing the courtroom, Justice Essien condemned the officials’ conduct as a brazen disobedience of judicial authority, stressing that the power of the court must not be undermined by any individual or group.
The judge also expressed grave concern over an affidavit of non-service filed by court bailiff Ayo Moses. The bailiff alleged that he was forcibly prevented from serving court processes on October 5, 2026, by the Chief Security Officer attached to the sixth judgment debtor. Justice Essien characterized the obstruction of a court official as a dangerous development carrying severe legal consequences.
Ruling on the matter, the court held that both union leaders were in contempt for failing to comply with lawful orders. Consequently, Justice Essien directed the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, the Lagos State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other law enforcement agencies to arrest Adekunle and Teslim and transfer them to the Kirikiri Correctional Centre.
The underlying legal dispute stems from allegations that NURTW officials have continued to collect daily, weekly, and security union tickets from commercial tricycle operators across Lagos State.
This collection persists despite a landmark judgment delivered by the court on December 11, 2025, which officially recognized the Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria (TOAN) as an independent trade union free from NURTW oversight.
Justice Essien adjourned the matter to November 16, 2026, when the court will evaluate whether the affected officials have purged themselves of the contempt.
