Magistrate court in Lagos has ordered the remand of a senior official of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) over an alleged role in a murder case.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The court, sitting in Yaba on Friday, directed that the union leader be kept at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending legal advice from the state’s Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

According to prosecutors, the defendant, whose name has been withheld until the next hearing, was linked to the death of a rival union member during a violent clash in Lagos earlier this month. The police said the incident occurred during a dispute over control of a motor park, which escalated into a fight that left one man dead and several others injured.

The magistrate said the matter was beyond the jurisdiction of the lower court since it involved a capital offense. She explained that the court could not take the defendant’s plea until the DPP issued legal advice on whether the case should proceed to trial at the high court.

Prosecution counsel told the court that the police investigation connected the NURTW boss to the crime scene. He argued that releasing the defendant on bail could jeopardize the investigation and lead to more unrest among rival groups.

The defense team, however, argued that their client was innocent and should be granted bail. They claimed the case was politically motivated and designed to weaken his influence in the union.

After listening to both sides, the magistrate ordered that the accused remain in custody and adjourned the case until October 15 for mention.

The NURTW has long been one of the most powerful transport unions in Nigeria, controlling motor parks and bus operations in major cities. Disputes over leadership and territory have often turned violent, leading to police crackdowns and political interventions.

Residents near the motor park where the clash happened told reporters they lived in fear as armed groups fought openly in the streets. Shops and stalls were destroyed, and many people were forced to close their businesses during the unrest.

“This is not the first time we are seeing such violence,” said a trader who asked not to be named. “Whenever there is a fight over who controls the park, we suffer. People die, and businesses collapse.”

Security analysts say the case could become a test of how the state government handles growing tensions between rival factions of the NURTW. In past cases, investigations were slowed by political interference or lack of evidence, leading to public frustration.

Human rights groups have also called for stronger oversight of transport unions, warning that repeated violence undermines public safety and economic activity.

“The government must show that no one is above the law,” said a Lagos-based activist. “If there is evidence, then the case should go to trial. If not, the accused should be freed. What matters is justice and peace for the people affected.”

The remand order signals that the legal process has begun, but the final decision rests with the DPP. If the DPP advises that the evidence is strong enough, the case will move to the high court, where the accused could face trial for murder.

For now, the accused NURTW boss will remain behind bars while prosecutors continue to build their case. The outcome of the DPP’s review is expected to determine the next step in a case that has drawn wide attention across Lagos and beyond.