NLC Chairman Jailed Over Palliatives Diversion, Details Emerge

• The Yobe state chairman of the NLC has landed in fresh trouble over what is termed as palliative diversion
• Comrade Muktar Tarbutu was sent to prison on Wednesday, March 27, by a court in Damaturu, the Yobe state capital
• The secretary of the NBA, Yobe state chapter, Barr. Mohammad Ngumurumi, confirmed the development to newsmen, even as the NLC chair pleaded not guilty to the charges

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

Yobe state, Damaturu - On Wednesday, March 27, the chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Yobe state chapter, Comrade Muktar Tarbutu, was remanded in prison for allegedly diverting palliatives.

Comrade Tarbutu was arraigned on Wednesday before Magistrate II Damaturu over the allegation of diverting palliatives given to him by the North East Development Commission (NEDC) for distribution.

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The secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yobe state, Barrister Mohammad Ngumurumi, disclosed that NEDC had given the palliatives to the NLC to share among some selected unions, but he failed to do so.

As reported by Daily Trust, Comrade didn’t share these items with NUJ and NBA. However, he pleaded not guilty during his arraignment.

The legal practitioner explained thus:

‘‘The North East Development Commission (NEDC) distributed 25kg of 150 bags of rice, 150 bags of sugar, 150 cartons of spaghetti, 150 rappers for women, and 150 textiles for men as well as 150 blankets.

‘‘He was urged to share them among the members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

‘‘He didn’t share these items with NUJ and NBA, we asked him where ours is, he didn’t show us that is why NBA filed the case to the State Intelligence Bureau (SIB) and he was arraigned today (Wednesday), but he pleaded not guilty."

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The accused was sent to prison by Chief Magistrate II Damaturu, His Worship Hasiya Abubakar, till April 18, 2024, when the principal hearing will be held.

NLC discloses only thing that can stop nationwide strike

Legit.ng reported earlier that amid the hardship, the administration of Bola Tinubu promised to distribute free grain palliatives to needy Nigerians, Abubakar Kyari, minister of agriculture and food security, has said.

This was part of the Tinubu government's ongoing efforts to reduce hunger and hardship in the country.

Following the pains and struggles of citizens, the NLC insisted that only the implementation of government's agreement with its members would stop the lingering nationwide strike.

In its latest letter written to the minister of state for labour and employment, the NLC urged the Bola Tinubu administration to execute the promises it made to Nigerian workers and citizens.

Source: Legit.ng