Industrial Court Stops NLC From Going On Strike as economy bites

The President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Justice Babatunde Adeniran Ademjumo has granted an interim order restraining the Nigeria Labor Congress and Trade Union Congress from embarking on any so called indefinite strike slated for Wednesday to protest a hike in the price of petrol.

Presiding over the suit between Federal Government vs NLC and TUC, the Judge granted an interim order of injunction restraining the Defendants/Respondents, their agents, privies, employees, workmen, or servants from embarking on industrial action, demonstrating or engaging in any action that may disrupt the economic activities of Nigeria.

The Labour Unions were ordered to stand down pending the hearing and determination of the motion.

The Federal Government was represented by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN; Okoi Obono Obla, Special Assistant to the President on Prosecution, and Dayo Apata, Director of Civil Litigation at the Federal Ministry of Justice.

The Attorney General of the Federation had submitted that if the reliefs sought in the motion paper is refused, irreparable damage will be done to Nigeria's national economy, security and corporate existence. 

He submitted that the defendants having threatened to shut down the country have to be restrained.

In his ruling, today Justice Adejumo held that he has jurisdiction to hear the application and that having read through the affidavits in support of the application, he is satisfied that a case of urgency has been established by the Federal Government to warrant the grant of an interim order of injunction.

He said the threats by Labour in their communique issued on May 15 to shut down all banks; airports, seaports, government offices, markets nationwide has proven that there is a res to be protected.