The takeover happened early Monday as members of the faction stormed the Secretariat and forced the few policemen on the ground to take cover.
NURTW has been engulfed in an internal crisis in the last two years in the aftermath of a delegates conference expected to produce a new leadership.
Speaking to journalists at the secretariat after the takeover, Baruwa, flanked by supporters, said his actions were backed by two court judgments delivered in his favour.
Baruma explained that his faction formally notified the Nigerian Police, attaching copies of the court judgments to facilitate the recovery of the NURTW secretariat.
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However, he noted that the responses were not encouraging, prompting the union to send another notice a few days ago, declaring its intention to take over the secretariat and resume duties in line with the court rulings.
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Baruwa said, “Their body language has not been encouraging despite repeated assurance that we are not going back to foment any trouble as we are a law-abiding union whose only mission is to get back what belonged to them.
“But today, as you can see, we are taking over in a peaceful manner, and it is not a forceful takeover but just carrying out the court’s orders.
“Again, please be aware that our coming here after two years is to occupy our office, having obtained judgments at both the lower court and the Appeal Court, but they refused to obey court orders after waiting for about two years. We decided to resume back at the office today without causing any violence, and here we are.
“Although the other faction attacked one of our members, who is now in the hospital, the situation is under control. We are still open to reconciliation as we are a lawful organisation and not a troublemaker. No one is above the law.”
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Also addressing journalist, the factional General Secretary, Suleiman Musa, echoed Baruwa’s statement, saying despite several appeals, those occupying the Union’s headquarters unlawfully remained defiant and refused to vacate.
Musa stated, “We have notified the police that, on the order of the court, we are coming back to our office today, and we are glad that journalists are here to witness it so that the world will know what is going on here.
