A Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan has warned top officials of the Oyo State Government that they may be sent to prison if they fail to obey an earlier judgment concerning the ban on the National Union of Road Transport Workers.
ππ§π© π’π»πΉπΆπ»π²Β reports that the court issued the warning in Suit No: M/246/2020 at the Ibadan Judicial Division.
The case involves some leaders of the transport union and the Oyo State Government. Court papers show that a contempt notice was served on the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, as well as the Commissioner for Public Infrastructure, Works and Transportation at the State Secretariat in Agodi, Ibadan.
Those listed as applicants in the matter are Alhaji Abideen Abimbola Olajide, Alhaji Lekan Aleshinloye, Alhaji Isiaka Ajetunmobi, Alhaji Kasali Lawal and the National Union of Road Transport Workers.
The respondents include the Governor of Oyo State, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, and the Commissioner for Public Infrastructure, Works and Transportation.
The notice, known as Form 48, is a formal step taken when a party is accused of refusing to carry out a valid court order. It informed the affected officials that failure to comply with the judgment may lead to contempt proceedings and possible imprisonment. The document was dated February 11, 2026, and signed by the court registrar.
The legal dispute began after the Oyo State Government, led by Governor Seyi Makinde, suspended the activities of the NURTW across the state on May 31, 2019.
The government said the action was taken due to security concerns and incidents of unrest linked to the union. It also directed a government takeover of motor parks.
In July 2021, the union challenged the suspension at the National Industrial Court. However, the court dismissed the suit in March 2022. Not satisfied with the decision, the union, through its lawyer, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), approached the Court of Appeal. The union argued that the state government did not have the power to ban a trade union registered under the Trade Union Act.
The Court of Appeal later set aside the suspension and ruled that the action of the Oyo State Government was unlawful. The appellate court held that the state did not provide clear proof of violence that would justify banning the union. It also stated that even in cases of security concerns, authorities must act within the law and follow proper legal steps.