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Creation of rival Motorcycle Union: MOUN says Delta state government lacks the legal right

Published

3 years ago

January 7, 2024

The national body of the Motorcycle Operator Union of Nigeria, (MOUN) an affiliate body of the Nigeria Labour Congress has rejected in totality the latest move by the Delta state government to create an illegitimate rival union known as the Commercial Motorcycle and Tricycle Operators Association (COMTOA).

The Delta state government in a statement signed by the Secretary to the state government, (SSG), Dr Kingsley Emu on Saturday noted that COMTOA has been given approval to coordinate and supervise the activities of motorcycle and tricycle operators in the state henceforth.

The SSG also noted that COMTOA will commence the management and collection of levies from motorcycle and tricycle riders effective Monday, 8th January 2024.

Meanwhile, reacting to the new order by the Delta state government, MOUN president, Comrade Julius Ogenewevgba Bobi, FCPAN called on security authorities in the state and at the Federal level to call the government to order, in other to avoid a situation where anarchy would be created in the state.

“The law is at our bosom and we shouldn’t allow the secretary to the Delta State Government to breach it if not our members will confront them and we shall be protected by Section 24 of the Trade Unions Act. So we’re soliciting that he should be called to order before there’s breakdown of law and order and its attendance consequences. We’re most obliged please”

Bobi maintained that the issue had long been judiciously settled in MOUN favour in the High Court of Justice at, Udu Judicial division, Delta state, when Hon. Justice C E Achilefu, (MRS) ruled…… “That the Defendants are hereby restrained from further collecting Passengers Welfare scheme levies and motorcycle and tricycle taxes in Delta State as same contravenes Part II of the Schedule to the Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Act, 2004 (as amended) The Defendants are hereby restrained from further collecting taxes and levies in Delta State that are not listed in Part II of the Schedule to the Taxes and Levies (Approved list for Collection) Act, 2004 (as amended).f. The Defendants are hereby restrained from further using private tax consultants or private individuals or bodies for assessing and collecting taxes and levies on behalf of the Defendant in Delta State as same negates the provisions of Sections 2(1), 3 and 4 of the Taxes and Levies…”

MOUN president lamented that the new move is an an attempt by the government to set the State on fire, “That’s an impunity and illegality taken too far by the Delta State Government. We’re commencing our operations on Monday to counter them,” Comrade Bobi stated unequivocally.

Comrade Bobi also cited a recent judgement where Justice Nelson Ogbuanya of the National Industrial Court (NIC), Port-Harcourt Division, has held that the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) by extant laws, lacks the power to register organisations under Incorporated Trustee, which has aims and objectives of a Trade Union.

He now wondered where the Delta state government is deriving their power to create a rival motorcycle Union in the state.

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Ex NANS President Remanded in Keffi Prison Over Alleged Criticism of Gov. Sani

Published

48 mins ago

October 25, 2026

The Gleamer

There is a growing concern over repression of dissenting voices ahead of the 2027 general elections starting with the January 16, 2027 Presidential and National Assembly polls.

The latest victim of attempts at silencing opposition voices, who is now being detained at Keffi Correctional Facility, is the immediate past President of National Association of Nigerian Students, Comrade Abubakar Atiku Isa.

Comrade Atiku was arrested in his house in Kaduna for allegedly criticising Governor Uba Sani for non-performance, though the police claim he was being held for cybercrimes.

He was detained at one of the police stations in Kaduna among criminals where he was allegedly badly brutalised leaving him with swollen eyes and bleeding from the ears.

Investigations by VDCInsights revealed that the former NANS President had criticised the governor over non-performance in one of his media appearances and predicted defeat for the governor at the forthcoming Governorship elections in the state come February 2027.

After his detention in police custody in Kaduna for one week without arraignment in court, he was subsequently moved to Abuja for questionable arraignment, from where he was transferred to Keffi Correctional Facility last Friday, October 23, 2026.

Wife of Comrade Atiku, Hauwau, told VDCInsights that she was worried about the safety of her husband after his brutalisation before the family like a common criminal and subsequent disappearance for more than a week now.

She said his whereabout is unknown to the family which further raises fears about his safety, especially at a time when people are being abducted and never seen again.

Hauwau argued that in a democracy people have freedom of speech and her husband only exercised his fundamental rights as a citizen, and wondered why he should be dehumanised for sharing a contrary view.

She appealed to the Inspector General Of Police, Olatunji Disu to intervene in the matter and compel his men to release her husband unhurt or arraign him before a court of competent jurisdiction for trial.

Comrade Atiku is described as a very vocal person once it bothers on injustice which has made him a target by those who abhor criticisms.

The former NANS President was one of those who had stood publicly for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu after meeting him in custody in Abuja and hearing his side of the story., and has also visited Kanu in Sokoto, where he is serving his prison term.

Our correspondent reports that there is a disturbing development in Kaduna where opposition parties and individuals are being intimidated and suppressed for sharing opposing views

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