The National Industrial Court in Lagos has ordered the arrest and detention of the Lagos State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Mustapha Adekunle, popularly known as Sego, and the union’s secretary, Usman Teslim.
According to The Guardian, Justice Isaac Essien issued the order on Monday, November 2, 2026, over alleged disobedience of the court’s earlier directives.
The ruling followed the failure of the two officials to appear before the court to explain why they should not be committed to prison for contempt.
Court faults NURTW officials’ absence
Justice Essien expressed dissatisfaction with the officials’ failure to comply with the court’s directives.
He described their conduct as a serious challenge to judicial authority.
The judge also raised concerns about an affidavit filed by court bailiff Ayo Moses, who alleged that a security official prevented him from serving court documents on October 5.
According to the court, obstructing the service of legal documents undermined the administration of justice.
The judge subsequently directed law enforcement agencies to enforce the arrest order.
Police, NSCDC directed to arrest officials
The court ordered the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, the state commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other relevant agencies to arrest the two officials.
Justice Essien directed that they be handed over to the authorities at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre.
The court fixed November 16, 2026, for further proceedings to determine whether the officials had complied with its earlier orders.
NURTW dispute linked to tricycle operators
The proceedings arose from allegations that NURTW officials continued collecting daily, weekly and security levies from commercial tricycle operators in Lagos.
The collections allegedly continued despite a December 11, 2025 judgment recognising the Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria as an independent trade union.
The court’s earlier decision concerned the rights of the association and the ability of its members to operate without interference.
The latest ruling represents an escalation of the legal dispute.
However, the arrest order does not establish that the officials had already been taken into custody at the time of the report.
