6 YEARS AFTER: Abbey Trotsky Still on Trial for Supporting Sumal Foods’ Casual Workers’ Struggle

Drop All Trumped-Up Charges Now! Solidarity Is Not a Crime!

 Six years after criminal proceedings were instituted against him, Comrade Abiodun Bamigboye, popularly known as Abbey Trotsky, the Oyo State Coordinator of the Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR), is still on trial simply because of the solidarity of the organisation with poor and exploited casual workers at Sumal Foods Limited in Oyo State.

The workers had embarked on a peaceful protest on 2 October 2018, demanding better wages and improved working conditions after enduring years of exploitation under casual employment. During the three-day protest, which brought both administrative and production activities at the company to a standstill, the intervention and support provided by the CDWR, under the leadership of Comrade Abbey Trotsky, played a significant role in strengthening the workers’ struggle. Faced with sustained resistance, the management of Sumal Foods was compelled to make certain concessions, leading to modest improvements in workers’ wages and conditions of service.

Rather than remain committed to the implementation of the agreement signed with the workers, the management of Sumal Foods Limited, in collaboration with the National Union of Tobacco, Food, Beverage and Allied Employees (NUFBTE), the in-house union in the company, resorted to victimising Abbey Trotsky. A few months after the protest, the company enlisted the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) in a campaign of harassment against him. He was repeatedly arrested, intimidated, and detained before criminal proceedings were instituted against him in 2019.

The prosecution accused Abbey Trotsky of recruiting thugs to organise violent disturbances at the factory. According to the company, the protest was not carried out by its casual workers but by individuals allegedly mobilised by him to create chaos. This is unfounded.

Throughout this prolonged trial, the prosecution has failed to present credible evidence establishing that Abbey Trotsky committed any criminal offence. On the contrary, the testimonies of several prosecution witnesses have exposed serious inconsistencies and have failed to substantiate the allegations contained in the charges. As the proceedings have unfolded, it has become increasingly evident that Abbey Trotsky’s only real “offence” was standing in solidarity with workers in their struggle for decent wages, humane working conditions, and respect for their fundamental labour rights.

Obviously, this case is designed to exhaust, intimidate, and silence Abbey and serve as a dangerous message to workers and trade unionists across Nigeria that anyone who supports workers’ struggles may face years of persecution through the courts.

This case assumes even greater significance at a time when the pace and spread of casualisation and other forms of indecent labour practices have increased across factories and workplaces throughout Nigeria. Millions of workers remain trapped in insecure employment, poverty wages, denial of workplace rights, and unsafe working conditions. If labour activists can be criminalised simply for supporting workers who peacefully organise to defend their rights, then the fundamental rights of freedom of association, peaceful assembly, and protest become meaningless for working people, especially if the leadership of trade unions refuse or fail to fight for the interest of workers.

The CDWR therefore calls on the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), their affiliate unions, and civil society organisations to actively join the campaign for the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of all fabricated charges against Comrade Abbey Trotsky.

Beyond demanding justice in this case, we also call on the leadership of the NLC, TUC, and their affiliate unions to urgently launch a serious nationwide campaign against casualisation and all other forms of precarious and indecent employment. The growing casualisation of labour represents one of the greatest threats facing Nigerian workers today. Combating it requires a coordinated and sustained national struggle involving organised labour, civil society organisations, and all defenders of workers’ rights. We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the struggle against casualisation, workplace exploitation, and all forms of indecent labour practices in Oyo State and across Nigeria as a whole. We remain convinced that an injury to one is an injury to all, and that the struggle for decent work, dignity, and justice for every worker must continue.

The CDWR expresses its heartfelt appreciation to Citipoint Chambers, other lawyers, comrades across the various sections of the Committee for a Workers’ International (CWI), labour activists, trade unionists, and all collaborators who have remained steadfast in their solidarity throughout this long legal battle. Your unwavering support has strengthened our resolve and reinforced the conviction that solidarity remains our greatest weapon against injustice.

To join the Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR) and support the campaign against casualisation and workplace exploitation, please contact: 08033914091, 0816 523 8890.