Appreciation for Solidarity and Appeal for Continued Support
The long running criminal case of Abbey Trotsky vs. Nigeria Police has been adjourned till November 27, 2025, following the absence of the presiding magistrate at Magistrate Court 6, Iyaganku Division, Ibadan. The magistrate was away on official duty, although the police prosecutor had earlier noted that their third witness was not yet ready for cross-examination.
Abbey Trotsky, Oyo State Coordinator of the Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR) and Acting National Chairperson of the Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN), faces charges brought by Sumal Food Limited through the Nigeria Police. These charges arise from his support in October 2018 for casual workers at Sumal Food Limited who were demanding better wages and improved working conditions. These show that the criminal allegations and charges levelled, in 2019, against Abbey Trotsky are trumped up and politically motivated.
The hearing drew strong solidarity from activists and trade unionists, including Prof. Ademola Aremu, Oyo State Coordinator of the Joint Action Front and former National Treasurer of the Academic Staff Union of Universities and Comrade Andrew Emelieze, former Trade Union Congress, TUC Chairman, Oyo State Chapter. Their presence highlights the broad support from left activists and pro-masses organisations for Abbey Trotsky in this protracted legal struggle.
The CDWR extends heartfelt appreciation to all media organizations, both those on the ground and those providing virtual coverage, for their steadfast attention to this case, which stands as a symbol of the fight for labour rights and social justice in Nigeria. At the same time, we are appealing for continued national and international political and financial support to sustain the legal defense and public campaign. Since the case began in 2019, it has spotlighted not only the challenges faced by pro-labour activists but also the fact that the police are tools in the hand of bosses for suppression of workers’ rights and interests. Again, the unwavering solidarity shown to Abbey Trotsky underscores the significance of this struggle against casualization and exploitative labour practices. We reiterate our consistent call on the leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to take seriously the struggle against casualization
We of the CDWR remain hopeful for a just conclusion of this matter as we remain undaunted in our campaign against casualization and other forms of indecent labour practices including the defense of workers’ rights across Nigeria.
Yusuf Salaudeen
For the CDWR Oyo State chapter
E-mail: campaignworkers@yahoo.co.uk
Nigeria Solidarity 