Members of the two factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) on Monday clashed outside the Federal High COurt sitting in Ibadan.

As a result, proceedings at the court ended abruptly. The clash was between supporters of the ousted chairman of the union, Alhaji Lateef

Akinsola a.k.a Tokyo and Alhaji Taofeek Oyerinde, a.k.a. Fele, the current

caretaker chairman of the union.

The court presided over by Justice Abimbola Obaseki-Adejumo had barely adjourned the case of contempt of court instituted by Akinsola against the caretaker committee and the Oyo State government, when violence erupted outside. To curtail the chaos, a team of policemen outside the court premises fired canisters of tear gas, which resulted into pandemonium within the court area, thus ending further court proceedings.

Mr Yomi Ogunlola, counsel representing the caretaker committee, described the clash as a show of shame that should not have been allowed to take place.

“At the last sitting on June 24, the court ruled that Mr Michael Lana, representing the caretaker committee, should withdraw from the suit, because he had earlier represented Akinsola in a sister case. “I was recently briefed to take over from him in this court contempt proceeding.“All that took place in court today was the application for change of counsel and

the matter was adjourned to Oct. 21. “However, what we are seeing outside now is a big surprise to me. This should not be allowed to happen in a civilised society,” he said.

He expressed his disappointment in the police not being able to prevent the chaos. “I am disappointed, because the police, from the outset, were out there to maintain peace. Why should it degenerate to this level if the police were truly at work? “As you can see, proceedings in the court had been disrupted, because of the tear-gas fired. It should not have gotten to this level,” he said.

Akinsola, however, accused the Oyerinde’s faction of masterminding the clash.

“My supporters were staying away from them, but they went over to my people and started beating them. “I am worried that they may have injured or killed one of my boys and to think that the police were present; makes it sad.

“If the police knew they would take sides, it would have been better they did not come. What is the importance of the armoured vehicle they brought?

“They could not even arrest one person to serve as a deterrent,” he queried.

The Assistant Commissioner of Police, Christopher Luke, said that he was inside the court and came out when he heard some noise. “I got down and saw that the whole place had been disorganised, which made me to order that tear-gas be released. “I wouldn’t know which of the parties started the fight, but we have been able to calm the situation,” he said.

Akinsola was in court because the state government was yet to abide by the court judgment that he should be reinstated as the chairman of the union.