The case, filed by the Nigeria Police Force following a complaint by the management of Sumal Foods Limited, came up for hearing at an Ibadan Magistrate's Court on January 26, 2026.
Proceedings in the criminal case instituted against Comrade Abiodun Bamigboye, popularly known as Abbey Trotsky, the Oyo State Coordinator of the Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR), witnessed dramatic moments on Monday as a prosecution witness admitted in court that the defendant was not involved in any act of violence during a workers’ protest linked to Sumal Foods Limited.
The case, filed by the Nigeria Police Force following a complaint by the management of Sumal Foods Limited, came up for hearing at an Ibadan Magistrate's Court on January 26, 2026.
Trotsky, who is also a leading member of the Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM), is facing criminal charges arising from protests by casual workers at the company’s Ibadan facility in October 2018.
The protest followed a campaign by the CDWR in solidarity with workers demanding an end to casualisation and what they described as exploitative working conditions at the firm.
During Monday’s proceedings, the third prosecution witness, Mr Ayodele Ogundele, a Personnel Manager with Sumal Foods Limited, was cross-examined by defence counsel, Mr Oluwatomiloba Olagunju.
Under oath, Mr Ogundele told the court that Abbey Trotsky was not seen assaulting any worker and did not participate in violence, vandalism, or the destruction of company property during the protest.
The admission further weakened the prosecution’s case, which has been ongoing for several years.
The police prosecutor later informed the court that the prosecution still intended to call at least two more witnesses.
However, he admitted that the prosecution was not adequately prepared to continue with further examination at the sitting.
The presiding Magistrate subsequently adjourned the matter to March 6, 2026, for continuation of the hearing.
Tension reportedly rose after the court session when operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) were observed around the court premises.
According to activists present, the operatives appeared to be monitoring and possibly recording Abbey Trotsky and other supporters who attended the hearing.
When confronted by the defence counsel and Abbey Trotsky, the DSS operatives reportedly denied engaging in surveillance or attempting to make any arrest, despite what observers described as suspicious conduct.
Reacting after the proceedings, the CDWR described the presence of security operatives as an act of intimidation but insisted it would not deter its activities.
In a statement issued by Yusuf Abiodun on behalf of the CDWR, Oyo State chapter, the group reaffirmed its commitment to what it called lawful and democratic struggles against casualisation and other forms of exploitative labour practices in Oyo State and across Nigeria.
The CDWR also expressed appreciation to its legal team, activists, and trade unionists for their support, particularly members of the Committee for a Workers’ International (CWI) and Dr Sola Omoregie of the Centre for Popular Education (CEPED), University of Ibadan.
The group encouraged members of the public interested in supporting its campaign against workplace exploitation to reach out through its contact channels.