Assault On Rule Of Law: Baruwa Accuses Nigeria Police Of Bias
A factional President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Tajudeen Baruwa, has accused the Nigeria Police Force of bias over his arrest on Monday in Abuja.
OSUN DEFENDER reports that Baruwa was arrested by the Police on Monday alongside several of his supporters when he moved to enforce court judgments affirming him as the authentic leader of the union.
Baruwa in a statement by his legal team alleged that the police not only refused to enforce valid court orders for months but have now turned against the beneficiary of those judgments.
The legal team accused the Nigeria Police Force of “executive lawlessness” following his arrest in Abuja.
In a statement issued on Monday, Baruwa’s lawyer, Tolu Babaleye, accused the police of deliberately refusing to enforce the court rulings.
The statement noted that repeated requests were made to various police formations to assist in executing the judgments, but those efforts were either ignored or rejected.
“The Nigeria Police Force has descended into the arena of partisan combat, abandoning its sacred duty as the guardian of law and order,” the statement said.
The lawyer further revealed that the Attorney General of the Federation was also notified of the situation but allegedly failed to act.
Meanwhile, the Police operatives after arresting Baruwa and several of his officers, arraigned them for “public disturbance.”
His legal team, however, described the allegation as “laughable and cynical.”
“This exercise was conducted in the most peaceful manner imaginable. There was no violence. There was no disturbance,” the statement insisted.
Baruwa’s counsel accused the police of bias, insisting that the arrest amounts to a direct assault on the rule of law.
“The police have chosen sides. By refusing to enforce the Court of Appeal judgment for months, and now arresting its beneficiary, they have demonstrated an unconscionable bias,” the statement read.
The lawyer also described the arrest as contempt of court, arguing that law enforcement authorities were effectively punishing a citizen for enforcing valid judicial pronouncements.
The legal team called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene in the matter.
They urged the President to direct the Inspector General of Police to withdraw all charges against Baruwa, provide security at the union secretariat, and ensure strict enforcement of court judgments.
They also demanded sanctions against officers allegedly involved in the arrest.
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
