Abuja, June 26 – The General Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Olawale Afolabi, recounted his near-death experience when he was attacked by former leaders of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of NUPENG.
Afolabi testified on Wednesday before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama as the trial commenced in the attempted murder case involving the ex-leaders.
The defendants, including former national chairman Lucky Osesua, his deputy Dayyabu Yusuf Garga, Humble Obinna, Akinolu Olabisi, Godwin Nwaka, Tiamiu Sikiru, Abdulmimin Shaibu, John Amajuoyi, Zaira Aregbo, Patrick Erhivwor, Stephen Ogheneruemu, Gift Ukponku, Sunday Ezeocha, and seven others, were charged in suit CR/042/202. They are accused of attacking NUPENG National President Comrade Williams Akporeha, General Secretary Wale Afolabi, and newly elected PTD-NUPENG National Chairman Augustine Egbon.
Led in evidence by prosecuting lawyer David Kaswe, Afolabi described the November 1, 2023, incident as the “most awful and horrible day” of his life, detailing how the defendants ambushed him and left him severely injured. “Lucky grabbed my throat, trying to strangle me. Obinna and Tiamiu delivered blows that made me dizzy,” he recounted. Afolabi was beaten unconscious and later found himself in Zankli Hospital, Abuja, where he received treatment for severe injuries.
Afolabi explained that he, along with the NUPENG National President and others, arrived at the union headquarters at 50 Majekodunmi Crescent, Utako, Abuja, for their duties, unaware of the impending attack. The defendants, lying in wait, pounced on him as he entered the premises through the pedestrian gate.
During his testimony, Afolabi narrated, “When the beating became severe, Lucky shouted, ‘Don’t kill him here,’ while Garga ordered, ‘Pull him out, it is not supposed to be here.’ I was dragged out and further beaten until I lost consciousness.”
Under cross-examination by defense lawyer Benson Igbanoi, Afolabi admitted not mentioning his attackers’ names in his initial police statement but identified them in court. Despite losing consciousness, Afolabi asserted, “I lost consciousness but not my memory.”
Justice Halilu Halilu adjourned the trial to October 10 for further proceedings.
The attack occurred as the NUPENG President and General Secretary accompanied the new PTD National Chairman, Augustine Egbon, and his executive to the union’s national secretariat in Abuja. This followed a Special Delegates Conference for the PTD Branch of NUPENG in Ibadan, where Egbon and others were elected. The fresh election came after Justice Bashar Alkali of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Yenagoa Judicial Division, Bayelsa State, nullified the previous PTD election held on June 30, 2022.
The defendants are charged with acts likely to cause death and voluntarily causing grievous bodily harm, punishable under Section 229 of the Penal Code Act, 2004.
