SUMAL FOODS LIMITED vs ABBEY TROTSKY:

Secret Police Besiege Court as Prosecution Witness Exonerates Trotsky of Alleged Violence

Next Adjourned Date: 6 March 2026

The criminal charge instituted against Comrade Abiodun Bamigboye (popularly known as Abbey Trotsky), Oyo State Coordinator of the Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR) and leading member of Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM), by the Nigeria Police Force, acting at the behest of the management of Sumal Foods Limited, Ibadan, came up for hearing once again on Monday, 26th January, 2026.

This case arose from the solidarity and support extended by the CDWR to the struggle of casual workers against casualisation and exploitative working conditions at Sumal Foods Limited in October 2018.

During the proceedings, the third prosecution witness, one Mr Ayodele Ogundele a Personnel Manager of Sumal Foods Limited, was called for cross-examination.

Under rigorous interrogation by the defence counsel, Mr. Oluwatomiloba Olagunju, the witness admitted under oath that Comrade Abbey Trotsky was not seen participating in the assault of any worker, nor was he involved in any act of violence, vandalism, or destruction of company property during the protest in question—thereby further weakening the prosecution’s case.

The police prosecutor later informed the court that the prosecution still intended to call no fewer than two additional witnesses, but conceded that the prosecution was not adequately prepared to proceed with further examination at this sitting. Consequently, the presiding Magistrate adjourned the matter to 6 March 2026 for continuation of hearing.

Proceedings later took a disturbing and alarming turn with the deployment of operatives of secret police popularly known as  Department of State Services (DSS) who effectively besieged the court premises and were observed covertly monitoring and recording Abbey Trotsky and other activists in attendance. When challenged by both the defence counsel and Abbey Trotsky, the DSS operatives denied engaging in any recording or attempting to effect an arrest, despite their suspicious conduct.

Subsequently, the defence counsel was contacted by the police prosecutor and informed that his presence was required by the court authorities. At a meeting with the Chief Magistrate, the defence counsel was informed that the deployment of the DSS was purportedly at the instance of the court, allegedly prompted by the circulation of an online solidarity poster issued by CDWR, which called for support for Abbey Trotsky and renewed mobilisation against casualisation and indecent labour practices.

Despite these acts of intimidation and surveillance, we remain undaunted and resolute. The Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR) will continue to lawfully utilise all available democratic spaces to intensify and deepen the struggle against casualisation and all other forms of exploitative and indecent labour practices in workplaces across Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole.

The CDWR extends its heartfelt appreciation to Citipoint Chambers, comrades across sections of the Committee for a Workers’ International (CWI), activists, and trade unionists in Nigeria—particularly Dr. Sola Omoregie, Convener of the Centre for Popular Education (CEPED), University of Ibadan Branch—for their unwavering solidarity and support.

To join CDWR and support the campaign against casualisation and workplace exploitation, please contact:

0803 391 4091 & 0816 523 8890

E-mail: [email protected]

Yusuf Abiodun

For CDWR, Oyo State