The head of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Yobe State, Comrade Muktar Tarbutu, has been put in jail for allegedly taking supplies meant for union members in the state.
Comrade Tarbutu was taken to court before Magistrate II Damaturu because it’s said he didn’t give out supplies given to him by the North East Development Commission (NEDC).
The Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Yobe, Barrister Mohammad Mohammad Ngumurumi, explained that the NEDC had given these supplies to the NLC to share among some specific unions, but that didn’t happen.
“The North East Development Commission (NEDC) gave out 25kg bags of rice, bags of sugar, cartons of spaghetti, rappers for women, textiles for men, and blankets,” he said.
“They told him to share them among the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), and Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
“But he didn’t share these items with the NUJ and NBA. When we asked him about ours, he didn’t give us any, so the NBA reported him to the State Intelligence Bureau (SIB). He was taken to court today (Wednesday) but pleaded not guilty.
“Chief Magistrate II Damaturu, His Worship Hasiya Abubakar, ordered him to remain in prison until April 18, 2024, for the main hearing,” he added.
