The National Industrial Court has upheld the injunction that prevents the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) from carrying out their intended industrial action, News About Nigeria reports.
Justice Olufunke Anuwe confirmed that the order, granted on June 5, will remain valid until the motion on notice is heard and decided upon.
During the court proceedings, Mr. Ochum Emmanuel, the legal representative of the Federal Government, informed the court that the claimant was prepared to present their motion on notice for an interlocutory injunction against the defendants to stop the strike.
Emmanuel stated that the defendants had been properly served and expressed his readiness to proceed.
However, Mr. Marshall Abubakar, the counsel for the defendants, informed the court that they had filed an application to set aside the order granted on June 5, which restrained them from going on strike.
Abubakar also explained that the claimant had served them with a counter-affidavit in court on Monday, despite receiving their application on June 8.
When asked about proper service, Abubakar admitted uncertainty but assured the court that he would verify and take appropriate action.
Furthermore, he asked for a brief pause to examine the opposing affidavit and make necessary preparations for a reply.
Emmanuel opposed the adjournment application, arguing that the federal government had never filed any legal documents and had instructed the bailiff not to serve the other party.
He suggested that the delay in filing the documents on June 16 might have resulted in the bailiff serving the defense counsel in court on Monday.
Emmanuel also pointed out that the defendants had not filed their memorandum of appearance, which rendered them improperly before the court and ineligible for an adjournment.
In response, Abubakar argued that Emmanuel’s application was unnecessary since the court had already ordered both parties to maintain the current state of affairs until the main case was heard.
He also informed the court that the parties would be meeting later that day to try to find a resolution.
The court granted the adjournment, instructing the defendants to file their memorandum of appearance and ordering both parties to maintain the status quo.
This update is a direct response to the defendant’s intention to commence a countrywide strike on June 7th as a means of protesting the elimination of fuel subsidy, which consequently led to a rise in petrol prices.
In response, the federal government filed a lawsuit to halt the strike, expressing concerns about its potential detrimental effects on society and the nation’s well-being.
The claimant argued that the strike could disrupt economic activities, especially in the healthcare and education sectors.
