FUTA workers protest as police refuse to return union vehicle

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Non-academic staff members of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, under the auspices of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities, staged a protest on Wednesday, accusing the Ondo State Police Command of refusing to comply with a court order regarding the release of a union vehicle.

According to The PUNCH, the aggrieved workers gathered at the university premises, wielding placards with inscriptions such as “Enough is enough, Ondo police should leave NASU FUTA,” and “Federal Government should save us, Ondo State police want to kill us.”

Speaking during the protest, NASU FUTA Chairman, Mr. Adebayo Aladerotohun, alleged that the police have failed to return a vehicle belonging to the union, despite a directive issued by a Chief Magistrate Court in January 2025.

“Our members are disheartened by the conduct of the Ondo State Police Command. They have overstepped their bounds and are meddling in union affairs, which is not within their constitutional purview,” Aladerotohun said.

He explained that the vehicle in question was confiscated by the police in June 2024 after a faction laid claim to the union’s property. Despite the union presenting documentation and maintaining possession of the vehicle keys, the police allegedly released the car to unknown individuals.

“We secured a valid court order directing the police to park the vehicle at our secretariat, but instead of obeying the order, the police handed it over to people we do not recognize. This is a clear act of defiance against the rule of law,” he stated.

Aladerotohun called on the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, to intervene and ensure that the Ondo State Police Command adheres to the court’s ruling.

In response to the allegations, the spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, Mr. Olayinka Alayande, dismissed the claims, insisting that the command complied with the court’s instructions.

“The court directed that the vehicle be returned to the union secretariat, and that is exactly what was done. It was not handed to any individual,” Alayande said.

He urged the protesting workers to seek legal redress if they remain dissatisfied, emphasizing the need to maintain peace. “The command will not condone any act capable of breaching public order,” he added.

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