The National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Lagos Division, has ordered the arrest and imprisonment 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, over alleged disobedience of its orders.
Justice Isaac Essien (PhD) issued the directive on Monday, November 2, 2026, after the two officials failed to appear before the court to explain why they should not be committed to prison for contempt.
The judge described their alleged actions as a brazen disregard for the court’s authority, warning that judicial orders must not be undermined.
Justice Essien also raised concerns over an affidavit of non-service submitted by a court bailiff, Ayo Moses, who alleged that the Chief Security Officer of the sixth judgment debtor prevented him from serving court processes on October 5, 2026.
The judge described the alleged obstruction of the bailiff while performing his official duties as a dangerous development with serious implications.
Following the development, the court ruled that the two union officials had committed contempt by failing to obey its lawful directives and ordered their arrest and detention at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre.
It further directed the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, the state commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other law enforcement agencies to apprehend the officials and transfer them to the officer in charge of the correctional facility.
Justice Essien adjourned the case until November 16, 2026, when the court will consider whether the officials have purged themselves of the contempt.
The proceedings stemmed from allegations that NURTW officials continued collecting daily, weekly and security tickets from commercial tricycle operators across Lagos despite the court’s December 11, 2025 judgment recognising the Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria (TOAN) as an independent trade union.
