Due to a lack of jurisdiction, the National Industrial Court has transferred the matter regarding Alhaji Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa’s desire to run for president of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) again.
In order to avoid creating a conflict with the Court of Appeal, which is currently hearing the case, the court made its conclusion.
The defendants’ attorney, Mr. O.I. Olorundare SAN, told the court that the Industrial Court was not authorized to continue hearing arguments on the same case because it was presently before the Court of Appeal, Abuja division. The attorney cited cases to back up his assertion that the National Industrial Court and the Court of Appeal cannot have concurrent jurisdiction.
O.O. Oyewunmi, the presiding Judge, dismissed the case, declaring that the Appeal Court had jurisdiction over it and that the Industrial Court had to defer to the Court of Appeal’s authority and let it handle its case.
Following this ruling, the parties will each go on to present their cases before the Court of Appeal and wait for the ultimate decision.