By Jonathan Ugbal and Elijah Ugani
The task force for the Computer Business Union, CBU in Obudu on Monday faced stiff resistance from the public and non-members as they commenced picketing and lock up of non-member shops over the refusal of some shop owners to join the union.
The task force members wielding giant padlocks, moved around town but faced stiff resistance from customers, sympathizers and management of some of the computer centers.
At a popular cyber cafe, the Imperial Computer Institute located along fire service road by the Animal Junction, opposite the Unknown Soldier Cenotaph, management and onlookers prevented the task force members as they attempted to lock the shop.
A police prosecutor with the Obudu Police Division who was at the scene told CrossRiverWatch that “what the union is doing is illegal, it goes against section 38 of the Constitution. These people owe the government and the public their services not any union no matter what”.
The task force leader who was visibly annoyed by the statements of the police prosecutor claimed he had legal backing because according to him, “the Divisional Police Officer, DPO is aware of this; that is why he gave us two policemen to follow us around”.
CrossRiverWatch however could not visibly identify the policemen as everyone around was on plain clothes. A visit to the Police Division was futile as the DPO declined comment.
The lock down was billed to affect all printing press, operators of computer centers and photocopiers as well as institutions who had earlier been given a two day notice.
Some residents of the town who spoke with CrossRiverWatch were unanimous that the union lacked the powers to force anyone to belong to any association and lacked the powers under the law to forcefully close any shop.
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