SUMAL FOOD LIMITED VS ABBEY TROTSKY- Ibadan trial over picketing starts
Trial Commences a Week after Supreme Court’s admittance of Appeal against Disqualification of Abbey’s Counsel
Next Adjourned Date: 6th June, 2025
The hearing of the case between the Police and Abbey Trotsky at the instance of Sumal Food Limited resumed today, Wednesday, 23rd April 2025, before Magistrate Court 6, Iyaganku, Ibadan, Oyo State. The case involves four-count charges—conspiracy to commit a breach of public peace, unlawful assembly, assault, and malicious damage. These charges were obviously concocted and filed by the Nigeria Police at the instigation of Sumal Food Limited, in an attempt to scapegoat Comrade Abbey Trotsky, the Oyo State Coordinator of the Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR), for his supportive role during a protest by the company’s casual workers on 2nd October 2018. The protest was against poor wages and deplorable working conditions. (More details at SUMAL FOOD WORKERS’ STRUGGLE: CDWR set to commemorate the “World Day for Decent Work with a Protest on Casualization and Persecution of Abbey Trotsky” – Democratic Socialist Movement)
Notably, the commencement of this trial came barely a week after the Supreme Court admitted an appeal challenging the controversial disqualification of Abbey Trotsky’s chosen legal representative, Mr. Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN). This shows that the core legal issue—whether a Senior Advocate of Nigeria can appear before a Magistrate Court – remains pending before the apex court. Nevertheless, the trial proceeded following the earlier insistence of the presiding magistrate, Chief Magistrate (Mrs.) M. M. Olagbenro, who is the fifth magistrate to preside over this matter since it began in June 2019.
The prosecution’s first witness, Mr. Akinfe Olatunde, who identified himself as the Chief Security Officer of Sumal Food Limited, was thoroughly cross-examined in a spirited session by Mr. Oloruntomiloba Olagunju, who appeared alongside Ms. Rasheedat Adeshina for the defendant, Abbey Trotsky. The cross-examination, which lasted over an hour, revealed numerous inconsistencies in Mr. Akinfe’s responses, particularly when compared to his previous testimonies and sworn statement in a related civil suit filed against Abbey Trotsky by over 20 outsourcing companies affiliated with Sumal Food Limited. These companies are known for recruiting workers under exploitative terms, often characterized by low wages and poor working conditions. Following the session, the matter was adjourned until 6th June, 2025.
The CDWR extends its heartfelt appreciation to all comrades and trade unionists including Prof. Ayoola Akinwole, the immediate past Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Ibadan Branch—for their unwavering solidarity. We reaffirm our unflinching commitment to the struggle against casualisation and all forms of indecent labour practices in workplaces across Oyo State and Nigeria at large.
To join CDWR and help build a campaign against casualization and other forms of indecent labour practices, please contact these numbers: 08033914091 and 08165238890 or email [email protected].
Comrade Ayodeji Adigun
(For CDWR)