FG WARNS LABOUR AGAINST DEFYING COURT ORDER ON STRIKE
The Federal Government has asked the organised labour to shelve its planned industrial action beginning on Tuesday November 14, because of the subsisting court order, which restrained them from embarking on strike.
Lateef Fagbemi SAN
Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice said in a statement that “the Labour unions must obey subsisting court order”.
Fagbemi reminded the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress that there is a subsisting court order stopping the unions and their affiliates from embarking on the strike.
The interim order was granted on November 10 by the President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Justice B. B. Kanyip.
The statement released by Kamarudeen Ogundele, Special Assistant Communication & Publicity to the AGF & Minister of Justice, said the unions have been served the court order and, therefore, must surrender themselves to the authority of the court which is already seized with the facts of the case.
“Any action taken contrary to the order will be tantamount to contempt of court. We urge the unions to respect the court order and adhere to the principle of the rule of law. There is no need to resort to self-help,” the AGF stated.
He further urged workers to report for duties and not to entertain any fear as their safety is guaranteed and will be protected within the ambit of law.
Recall that President of the National Industrial Court, Justice Benedict Kanyip, had on Friday, restrained the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) as well as other affiliate unions from embarking on any form of nationwide strike from Tuesday November 14.
The two leading labour unions were restrained from going on with the planned strike based on an exparte order secured by the Federal Government, seeking to stop the industrial action.
The FG had told the court that allowing the planned industrial action to hold, would have adverse effects on the economy as well as unleash untold hardships on innocent law abiding citizens and their businesses.
Consequently, Justice Kanyip invoked sections 17 and 19 of the National Industrial Court Act, to issue the restraining order against the labour unions. The Judge said it was within the power of the court to intervene by way of restraining order to ensure peace and tranquility.
