Lagos court orders arrest of transport union chairman Sego over contempt, pair to be held at Kirikiri prison

Nigeria's National Industrial Court, Lagos Division, ordered on Monday, November 2, the arrest and committal to prison of Lagos State National Union of Road Transport Workers chairman Alhaji Mustapha Adekunle, popularly known as Sego, and the union's secretary, Usman Teslim, after they failed to appear to show cause why they should not be committed for contempt.

Judge cites brazen disregard for the court

Justice Isaac Essien said the two union officials had failed to appear to show cause, describing their alleged conduct as a brazen disregard for the authority of the court, and warned that no individual or organisation should undermine the judicial process or disobey lawful court directives. The court directed the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, the Lagos State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other relevant agencies to effect the arrests and hand the men over to the officer in charge of the Kirikiri Correctional Centre. The matter was adjourned to November 16, 2026, for a determination of whether the two officials had purged themselves of the contempt.

The dispute over tricycle levies

The proceedings arose from a judgment of December 11, 2025, recognising the Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria as an independent trade union, which raised questions over the authority of NURTW officials to impose or collect levies from tricycle operators. NURTW officials were alleged to have continued collecting daily, weekly and security tickets from commercial tricycle operators across Lagos State despite that judgment.

Reports also note an affidavit of non-service filed by court bailiff Ayo Moses, who alleged he was prevented from serving court processes on October 5, 2026, by the chief security officer of the sixth judgment debtor. The court has not publicly set out any substantive response from the two officials themselves, and the case remains ongoing; the November 16 hearing will be the next step.

The photo with this article is a file photo of a Lagos street scene. Sources: National Daily and The Genius Media reports, November 2, 2026.