The National Industrial Court of Nigeria sitting in Abuja has ordered the committal of Yusuf Ibrahim Adeniyi, former Secretary-General of the Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), to Kuje Correctional Centre for contempt of court.

The Court also ordered that one Eriyo Osakpamwan be committed to custody for continuing to assert himself as the National President of RTEAN.

Justice O.Y. Anuwe, in a ruling delivered yesterday, found Osakpamwan and Adeniyi guilty of disobeying a subsisting judgment of the court delivered on October 13, 2020.

Osakpamwan had claimed to be the National President of RTEAN while Adeniyi served as
Secretary-General of the union until 2025, when he was dismissed over alleged misconduct and breach of trust.

The court issued a bench warrant for their arrest and directed that they remain in custody until they purge themselves of the contempt by swearing affidavits confirming compliance with the court’s orders.

The contempt proceedings arose from an earlier leadership dispute in RTEAN, which culminated in suit NICN/ABJ/278/2019.

In its October 2020 judgment, the court declared Osakpamwan’s ascension to the office of National President illegal, null and void, and restrained him from holding himself out as the association’s president.

The court also nullified all actions taken by him in that capacity and ordered him to vacate the association’s Abuja office.

Osakpamwan had appealed the decision to the Court of Appeal (Appeal No. CA/ABJ/CV/467/2021).

But, in a judgment delivered on July 29, 2025, the appellate court struck out the appeal on the grounds that it had become academic and that it lacked jurisdiction to entertain it.

Justice Anuwe held that since the appeal was struck out and not determined on the merits, the 2020 judgment remains valid, subsisting and binding on the parties.

The applicants presented evidence showing that, despite the judgment, Osakpamwan continued to parade himself as RTEAN’s National President.

Exhibits included letters to the Minister of Labour and Employment, notices convening National Executive Council meetings, and media publications, including newspaper adverts and television broadcasts portraying the respondents as the National President and National Secretary of the association.

The respondents did not file any counter-affidavit to challenge the allegations.

Justice Anuwe noted that contempt proceedings are quasi-criminal and must be proved beyond reasonable doubt.

He found that the applicants had successfully established that the respondents defied the court’s restraining orders.

“Accordingly, I find the 1st and 2nd respondent guilty of disobedience of the orders of this court given in the judgment of 13th October 2020 and hereby commit them for contempt. Bench Warrant is issued against the 1st and 2nd respondents.

“They are to be committed to Kuje Correctional Centre and detained in custody until such time that they undertake, through duly sworn affidavits, to comply with the orders of this Court. Ruling is entered accordingly.

Reacting to the ruling, counsel to the claimants, Zanti Tamar Kolais, described the decision as a reaffirmation of the authority of the court and the subsistence of its earlier judgment.

She said the respondents would remain in custody until they fully comply with the court’s orders, stating that the ruling is not only about the association but about obedience to the court.

“This sends a clear message that court orders must be respected. Once a court has spoken, parties are bound to comply,” she said.