By Ayomide Otitoju
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has affirmed Alhaji Musa Mohammed as the legitimate Executive President of the Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), ruling that a challenge to his tenure has become academic.
The three-member panel, led by Justice Hamma Barka and read by Justice Abba Mohammed, struck out an appeal filed by Eriyo Osakpamwan, noting that the disputed tenure (2018–2023) had expired and a new leadership was already in place.
“A suit is academic when it holds no practical value. The tenure in question ended in 2023. This court cannot turn back the clock,” Justice Mohammed stated.
Justice Eberechi Nyesom-Wike concurred, stressing that the appeal was “theoretical” and of “no utilitarian value.”
The dispute stemmed from a 2020 National Industrial Court ruling, which invalidated Osakpamwan’s leadership claim and upheld Musa Mohammed’s presidency. Osakpamwan’s appeal raised a single jurisdictional issue, which the court dismissed as moot.
Reacting to the ruling, Mohammed praised the judiciary for upholding justice and called on all members to unite for the association’s progress.
“This judgment is a victory for due process and internal democracy within RTEAN,” he said.
