The National President of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Williams Akporeha, has dismissed allegations that the union is using law enforcement agencies or the judiciary to resolve internal leadership disputes.

Akporeha made the clarification yesterday during cross-examination by defence counsel Christopher Oshomegie (SAN) in an ongoing criminal trial at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, presided over by Justice Yusuf Halilu.

The case involves 21 former leaders of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of NUPENG, who are facing a five-count charge bordering on attempted murder, breach of public peace, and assault.

Among the defendants are former PTD National Chairman Lucky Osesua, as well as Dayyabu Garga, Humble Obinna, Akinolu Olabisi, Godwin Nwaka, Tiamiu Sikiru, Abdulmimin Shaibu, and John Amajuoyi. Others include Zaira Aregbo, Patrick Erhivwor, Stephen Ogheneruemu, Gift Ukponku, and Sunday Ezeocha. All the accused have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Testifying as the second prosecution witness (PW2), Akporeha strongly refuted claims that NUPENG is divided along factional lines or that some members are weaponizing the police and judiciary to suppress others.

“It is not correct that one group is using the police and court against another to settle a union matter,” he told the court.

“I am the National President of the union. I oversee everyone. NUPENG is one unified body with about 150 branches—PTD is just one of them. The issue of one group against another does not arise.”

Disputed Elections and Legal Interventions

Akporeha further explained that leadership tensions within the PTD branch began following a disputed executive election held in June 2022 in Ibadan, Oyo State, which had produced Osesua and others as winners.

That election, he said, was nullified by the National Industrial Court sitting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, which ordered a fresh poll to be supervised by NUPENG.

“After the first election was nullified, another one was conducted in line with the court’s directive.

“However, while NUPENG conducted a legitimate election in Ibadan, a group of individuals organised a parallel and unauthorised election in Abuja”

“Elections within the union are the exclusive responsibility of NUPENG, and the one held in Ibadan is the only legitimate exercise,” Akporeha testified.

Alleged Attack on Union Leaders

The charges against the defendant’s stem from an alleged attack on Akporeha, NUPENG Secretary-General Olawale Afolabi, and the newly elected PTD Chairman Augustine Egbon. The prosecution claims the incident posed a threat to their lives and constituted criminal conduct.

The case continues as the court considers the testimonies and evidence from both prosecution and defence sides.