Active Success and Empowerment Initiative (ASEI) otherwise known as ‘Human Right Fighters’ has given the Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu or his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, 48hours to look into, and resolve series of attacks on members and lawyer of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the state.
The human Right organization alleged that the attacks on NURTW members and Attorney were carried out by the Motor Parks Management Committee in Ondo State.
The organisation through its lawyer, Barrister Femi Ariyo, said on the expiration of the ultimatum, it will approach a court of competent jurisdiction for redress.
The lawyer, in a press statement made available to newsmen today in Akure, said: “the National President of Active Success and Empowerment Initiative (ASEI) otherwise known as ‘Human Right Fighters’, Sir Adewumi Babalola, JP, was attacked on 12 June, 2023 because he was (the) Attorney to NURTW in South West, Nigeria.
“Series of letters for the protection of lives and properties were written to all security agencies in Ondo State and Abuja before now concerning the issue at stake while the ASEI of Nigeria has taken over the issue for investigation and justice.”
The Statement is titled, “THE IMPARTIAL DISOBEDIENCE TO THE RULE OF LAW BY THE APPOINTEES OF ONDO STATE GOVERNMENT ESPECIALLY ON ISSUES CONCERNING NATIONAL UNION OF ROAD TRANSPORT WORKERS (NURTW) ONDO STATE.”
The press statement reads: “It has conspicuously cleared(sic) to all and sundry towards the event in Ondo State as regards National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Motor Parks Management Committee inaugurated by the Ondo State Government. Issues have been raised about the constitutional legitimacy of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Motor Parks Management Committee in Ondo State.
“Sometimes in the hierarchy of NURTW Ondo State after the first term tenure of Mr. Jacob Adebo (Idajo) as Chairman, he was to contest for the second term while the Union in Ondo State decided to go against him. The Ondo State Government later shielded him from being questioned and reinstated him as the Chairman of Motor Parks Management Committee in Ondo State while Government announced a press release.
“NURTW has not been proscribed by the Press Release of the Ondo State Government only activities suspended in Public Motor Parks. The Court judgement affirmed NURTW as a registered trade Union in Nigeria while their activities to continue in Private Motor Parks in Ondo State.
“The Ondo State Government appointed Mr. Jacob Adebo (Idajo) as the Chairman of Motor Parks Management Committee to milk on the resources of the NURTW Ondo State and are utilising the NURTW activities and properties.
“The followings are issues for reason and question; What gives the Motor Parks Management Committee the grouse over the properties and activities of NURTW in Ondo State?
“Government spokespersons that are less in qualification and no Jurisdiction on Union matters to represent Ondo State Government.
“The Chairman of the purported Motor Parks Management Committee Jacob Adebo (Idajo) is yet to make any public statement as regards his agency up till now.
“The denial of the Government appointees about the closure of the NURTW headquarters office at Igoba, Akure and statement of Amotekun Commander over the properties of the Union.
“The statement of Amotekun Commander over the suspension of activities of NURTW in Ondo State which was contrary to the ruling of the competent Court of Justice. The Motor Parks Management Committee utilizing the NURTW activities and properties in Ondo State.
The National President of Active Success and Empowerment Initiative (ASEI) otherwise known as ‘Human Right Fighters’ Sir Adewumi Babalola JP was attacked on 12 June, 2023 because he was (the) Attorney to NURTW in South West, Nigeria.
“Series of letters for the protection of lives and properties were written to all security agencies in Ondo State and Abuja before now concerning the issue at stake while the ASEI of Nigeria has taken over the issue for investigation and justice.
“The contribution and activities concerning the dignity of human right in Nigeria society by Sir Adewumi Babalola JP cannot be underrated as the Conference of International Human Rights are provoked and has intervened in the matter.
“The statements credited and signed by the Commander of Amotekun Corps, Adetunji Adeleye that; That NURTW members in Ondo State are self acclaimed 2. That the activities of NURTW in Ondo State are suspended in Ondo State which contradicted the ruling of the competent Court of Justice.
“That he has alerted the security agencies in Ondo State for security purposes – a statement of constitutional utterance of the security agencies and not for a government appointee with jurisdiction on cattle rearing, grazing and ranches
development.
“The ASEL of Nigeria ‘Human Right Fighters’ in collaboration with International Conference of Human Rights demand statement from the elected executive Governor or Deputy Governor of Ondo State on this matter within 48 hours otherwise we will institute Court of action,” the lawyer said.
A human rights group called Active Success and Empowerment Initiative (ASEI) in Ondo State had also written a petition to the Commissioner of Police in the State, Taiwo Jesubiyi, concerning threats to lives of members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), State Branch following a court judgment.
ASEI, acting as solicitors for the NURTW, is requesting the immediate arrest and prosecution of certain members of the Motor Park Management Committee and the Ondo State security network, known as Amotekun.
According to the petition, the counsel for NURTW has accused the State Park Management and Amotekun Corps of perpetrating acts of terror against its members including its lawyer. The security operatives are urged to intervene and address the actions of the two agencies.
In the petition signed by Helen Akinmboni, the Director of Legal Services for the Southwest Zone of ASEI, the NURTW alleged that after a court ruling allowing them to operate in private motor parks, suspected thugs attacked NURTW members who were carrying out their duties at their respective motor parks.
The petition states: “We want the Nigeria Police Force to swiftly take action to arrest and prosecute the individuals mentioned in the petition, as they have inflicted serious injuries on our clients. The actions of the culprits constitute nothing but self-help and must not be tolerated in our society, especially considering that our clients are currently hospitalized.”
However, the Commander of Amotekun in the state, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, denied his corps’ involvement in the attacks and states that no Amotekun official will intervene or take sides in the union’s crisis.
He explained that the state government had warned against any planned breach of public peace by members of the NURTW, and the union’s operations have been suspended in the state.
Adeleye who is also the Special Adviser on Security matters to the state Governor, emphasized that anyone caught instigating trouble in any park within the state will be apprehended and treated as a common criminal, as the government’s stance on Park Management is unwavering.
