Democratic Socialist Movement

For Struggle, Solidarity and Socialism in Nigeria

By - DSM

LAGBUS 4 Update:


LAGBUS 4 Update:

THE CASE OF 4 LAGBUS BRT WORKERS ADJOURNED TO NOVEMBER 16 2009

Mr. Mark Marvelous, Mr. Olanrewaju Babatunde, Mr. Toyin Taiwo and Mr. Jeffery Okosi (left to right) - the Lagbus 4

Mr. Mark Marvelous, Mr. Olanrewaju Babatunde, Mr. Toyin Taiwo and Mr. Jeffery Okosi (left to right) – the Lagbus 4

COMPANY’S COMPLAINANT AND THE POLICE FAILED TO APPEAR IN COURT

The case of the 4 BRT Lagbus workers charged to court for embarking on strike actions came up for a hearing on Monday October 5 at the Ikeja, Lagos, Magistrate Court 10.

The case was called for hearing at exactly 9:42am with all the defendants (Mr. Mark Marvelous, Mr. Jeffery Okosi, Mr. Toyin Taiwo and Mr. Olanrewaju Babatunde) present. The lawyer to the union (AUPTRE) Mr. Oshinowo, was also present for defense. The hearing did not go on because Mr. Rotimi Ibitoye, the Investigation Police Officer (IPO), and the company’s complainant representing Lagbus Assets Management Ltd, Mr. Popoola Muyiwa were absent.

The case has been adjourned to Monday November 16 2009.

It will be recalled that 7 workers were actually arrested on August 17, 2009 at Owode Ikorodu while on a peaceful protest as part of activities of the strike action embarked on the same day. After being brutalized, 5 of them were subsequently detained at the Lagos Police Command Ikeja at the behest of the Lagos state government and Lagbus Asset Management Limited.

The workers were detained for 5 days at the Lagos Police Headquarters in violation of their rights since it surpassed the constitutionally stipulated maximum period of 24 hours. The 4 victimized workers have been illegally sacked after the strike action while the August salaries of 2 of the workers (Mr. Mark Marvelous, Mr. Jeffery Okosi) have since been illegally withheld. The attacks on the rights of these workers have shown clearly that they had been pronounced guilty before trial since they were immediately sacked and detained for 5 days during and after the strike, thereby infringing on their constitutional right to fair hearing.

However, as a result of the strike action, 64 other BRT Lagbus workers have been sacked by one of the major contractors (Driving Solution Ltd) to Lagbus Assets management/Lagos State Government. 10 workers were initially suspended indefinitely on August 27, 2009 because they were trying to rally financial and moral support for their victimized colleagues, though they were recalled after two weeks.

We ask that protest letters and text messages continue to be sent to the e-mail addresses and phone numbers below. Outside Nigeria protest letters could also be sent to local Nigerian embassies.

Lagbus Management:

07041446001, 07041446002

[email protected],

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Marvel Akpoyibo: 08033011052

Lagos State Police Public Relation Officer, Mr. Frank Mba: 08038375844

Lagos State government officials:

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola:

[email protected], [email protected]. Tel: 08034301122

Deputy Governor, Mrs. Sarah Adebisi Sosan:

[email protected]. Tel: 08033076183

Commissioner of Information and Strategy Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele:

[email protected] Tel: 08035686548

The Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Olasupo Sasore (SAN):

[email protected]. Tel: 08034030386.

Please also send copies to:

[email protected]

Mr. Rufus Olusesan

Chairman

Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR)

Lagos

CDWR website www.nigeriasolidarity.org

Chairman