Justice Essien directed the Lagos State Commissioner of Police and other security agencies to arrest the officials wherever they are found and detain them pending further proceedings on November 16.
The judge said the defendants had repeatedly disregarded the court’s authority, despite earlier orders requiring them to appear and show cause why they should not be imprisoned for allegedly violating its judgment.
During the proceedings, Babatunde Lawal, counsel for the sixth judgment debtor, could not produce the two officials as previously directed.
Justice Essien was angered by this and declined to hear further submissions from the lawyer until the officials were brought before the court.
Femi Falana, a human rights lawyer appearing for another senior lawyer, Dr Muiz Banire (SAN), asked for an adjournment to communicate the court’s position to the officials and secure their attendance.
But the judge rejected the request, saying the authority and integrity of the judiciary could not be compromised by continued disobedience of its orders.
“I have heard you, but I hate to refuse you. This is for the integrity, honour and sanctity of the court. If everybody disobeys court orders, then the court is finished,” Justice Essien said.
He then directed the police and other law enforcement agencies to arrest the two union officials and take them into custody.
The judge also raised concern over allegations that court officials had been prevented from serving documents on parties affected by the judgment.
Court bailiff Ayo Moses filed an affidavit alleging that the sixth judgment debtor’s Chief Security Officer obstructed him from serving court documents at the premises on October 5, 2026.
Justice Essien described the alleged obstruction of a court official carrying out his lawful duties as serious.
Dispute Over Control of Tricycle Operations
The contempt proceedings stem from a long-running dispute involving the Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria (TOAN), NURTW and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) over the administration of commercial tricycle operations in Lagos.
In a judgment delivered on December 11, 2025, the court recognised TOAN’s independent authority over commercial tricycle operations and barred the Lagos State Government, its Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Commissioner for Transportation, NURTW, RTEAN and other affected parties from interfering with the association’s activities.
The court also ordered the state government to set aside a white paper merging TOAN and NURTW operations, ruling that the arrangement encroached on powers constitutionally reserved for the Registrar of Trade Unions.
TOAN later accused NURTW officials of continuing to interfere with its operations despite the judgment.
The association alleged that union officials continued to collect daily, weekly and security levies from commercial tricycle operators. It therefore returned to court to enforce the judgment and initiate contempt proceedings against those allegedly responsible.
The NURTW officials had earlier challenged aspects of the contempt proceedings, including the service of court documents, and referred to steps taken to appeal the substantive judgment.
The court rejected their objections and directed them to appear on October 15, 2026, to show cause why they should not be imprisoned for allegedly disobeying its orders.
Their failure to comply with that directive led to the arrest and detention order.
The case was adjourned until November 16 for further proceedings.
