The National Industrial Court (NIC) sitting in Lagos has scheduled October 29 to hear a suit filed by the suspended Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Lagos State Council, Biodun Aladetan, challenging his suspension by the union’s national leadership.
The case, marked NICN/LA/129/2026, came up for mention last Thursday but was adjourned to allow the court hear the pending motion on notice.
The court also ordered that the alleged harassment and intimidation of Aladetan by the TUC’s national leadership cease until the matter is resolved.
Aladetan was suspended in February 2026 by the TUC National Administrative Council over allegations of anti-union activities and insubordination. However, he has approached the court, arguing that the disciplinary action was unlawful.
In his originating summons, the claimant is asking the court to nullify his suspension, describing it as illegal, and to order his reinstatement as Chairman of the TUC Lagos State Council.
He is also seeking an injunction restraining the national leadership of the congress from appointing a caretaker committee to manage the affairs of the Lagos State Council while the case remains before the court.
Speaking to journalists after the proceedings, Aladetan’s lawyer, Joseph Opute, maintained that the suspension breached the provisions of the union’s constitution and failed to comply with the principles of due process and fair hearing.
According to Opute, the disciplinary measures taken against his client were unconstitutional and should be set aside by the court.
BACKSTORY:
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) is one of Nigeria’s leading labour centres, representing workers across both the public and private sectors and playing a prominent role in advocating for workers’ rights, welfare and improved working conditions.
In February 2026, the TUC’s National Administrative Council suspended the Chairman of its Lagos State Council, Biodun Aladetan, over allegations of anti-union activities and insubordination. The decision sparked controversy within labour circles, with Aladetan rejecting the allegations and insisting that the disciplinary action violated the provisions of the union’s constitution.
Maintaining that he was denied due process and fair hearing, Aladetan approached the National Industrial Court in Lagos, seeking to nullify his suspension, restore him to office and prevent the TUC’s national leadership from appointing a caretaker committee to oversee the affairs of the Lagos State Council while the matter remains unresolved.
The legal dispute has drawn attention because it raises broader questions about internal democracy, disciplinary procedures and compliance with constitutional provisions within trade unions. It was against this backdrop that the National Industrial Court fixed October 29, 2026, to hear the suit challenging Aladetan’s suspension, while directing that the alleged harassment and intimidation of the suspended labour leader should cease pending the determination of the case.
