The National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Lagos Division, has ordered the arrest and detention 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 contempt of court.
Justice Isaac Essien issued the order on Monday, November 2, 2026, after the two union officials failed to appear before the court to explain why they should not be committed to prison for allegedly disobeying its previous orders.
The judge described their alleged actions as a serious disregard for the authority of the court, stressing that court orders must be respected and obeyed.
Justice Essien also expressed concern over an affidavit of non-service submitted by a court bailiff, Ayo Moses, who claimed that he was prevented from serving court documents on October 5, 2026, by the Chief Security Officer of the sixth judgment debtor.
The judge condemned the alleged obstruction of the bailiff while carrying out his official duties, describing the development as dangerous and one that could have serious consequences.
Following the proceedings, the court held that Sego and Teslim had committed contempt by failing to comply with its lawful directives. It subsequently ordered their arrest and detention at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre in Lagos.
The court also directed the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, the Lagos State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other relevant law enforcement agencies to arrest the two 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 is expected to determine whether the affected officials have purged themselves of the contempt.
The case is connected to allegations that NURTW officials continued collecting daily, weekly and security tickets from commercial tricycle operators across Lagos State despite a previous judgment delivered on December 11, 2025.
In that judgment, the National Industrial Court recognised the Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria (TOAN) as an independent trade union, separate from the NURTW.
The latest development follows the alleged failure of the union officials to comply with the court’s judgment and subsequent directives concerning the collection of levies from commercial tricycle operators in the state.
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