Nigeria’s National Industrial Court orders RTEAN leaders Yusuf Adeniyi and Eriyo Osakpamwan to Kuje Correctional Centre for contempt of court

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

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Justice O.Y. Anuwe delivered the ruling on February 24, 2026, finding both Adeniyi and Osakpamwan guilty of disobeying a subsisting judgment issued on October 13, 2020.

Adeniyi served as Secretary-General until 2025, when he was dismissed over alleged misconduct, while Osakpamwan continued to claim the position of National President despite the court’s prior ruling.

The court issued bench warrants for their arrest and directed that they remain in custody until they purge themselves of contempt by swearing affidavits confirming compliance with its orders.

The contempt proceedings stemmed from an earlier leadership dispute in RTEAN, formalised 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 acting in that capacity.

The judgment also invalidated all actions taken by him as president 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 the appellate court struck out the appeal on July 29, 2025, declaring it academic and upholding the validity of the 2020 ruling.

Evidence presented by the claimants showed that Osakpamwan continued to present himself as RTEAN’s National President, including letters to the Minister of Labour and Employment, notices convening National Executive Council meetings, and media publications.

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

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

He concluded that the respondents had defied the court’s restraining orders and committed them for contempt.

Reacting to the ruling, claimants’ counsel, Zanti Tamar Kolais, said the decision reaffirmed the authority of the court and the subsistence of its earlier judgment.

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