Abuja, Nigeria — Tensions have flared within Nigeria’s petroleum sector as Williams Akporeha, President of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), recounted a violent confrontation that occurred on November 1, 2023. Testifying in the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, Akporeha detailed an alleged attack by 20 ex-union officials, including a former chairperson, which has now led to serious criminal charges.
The incident, which unfolded at the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) office in Utako, Abuja, involved the accused, who are facing attempted murder among other charges. Akporeha’s testimony highlighted a scene where he and two other union officials, Secretary-General Wale Afolabi and National Chairman Augustine Egbon, were allegedly assaulted with clubs, iron bars, and stones.
According to Akporeha, the altercation escalated quickly when he and Afolabi were barred from entering the premises, leading to a physical confrontation. “They started by verbally assaulting us, calling us thieves, and quickly escalated to physical attacks,” Akporeha told the court. He described how he was dragged and beaten, noting that some assailants were armed with potentially flammable substances.
During the assault, Akporeha managed to escape into the building with assistance from his secretary Mary Okafor, who escorted him through a back entrance. Safely inside, he witnessed continued aggression towards his colleagues outside, with sustained efforts by the attackers to escalate the violence.
The situation reached a critical moment when Afolabi, after being severely beaten, lay unconscious and severely wounded, a scene described vividly by Akporeha during his distressing testimony. The arrival of police led by the Divisional Crime Officer from the Utako Police Station eventually quelled the violence and resulted in the rescue of the union leaders, including Akporeha himself.
The accused, among them Dayyabu Garga, Humble Obinna, and Akinolu Olabisi, have all entered a plea of not guilty to the charges presented. The legal proceedings have drawn attention due to the nature of the violence and the high profile of the individuals involved.
In a recent court session, Prosecutor David Kaswe attempted to submit a petition that Akporeha had filed after the attack. However, defense counsel Christopher Oshiomogie challenged the admissibility of the document, arguing that it was improperly submitted and only a photocopy was provided. This legal snag has led to an adjournment of the trial, now scheduled to continue on November 20.
This case has spotlighted the underlying issues of leadership disputes and factional tensions within Nigeria’s vital petroleum industry. The sector, crucial to the country’s economy, has seen its share of conflicts, but few have escalated to the level of violence witnessed in this incident. The outcome of this trial could have significant implications for union leadership and the stability of labor relations within the industry.