The President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Justice Babatunde Adeniran Adejumo has granted an interim order restraining the Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC), from embarking on the proposed indefinite strike slated for tomorrow.
In his ruling, Justice Adejumo said that he has jurisdiction to hear the application and that having read through the affidavits in support of the application, a clear case of urgency has been established by the federal government for the issuance of 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 the Nation, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
He said the threats of the defendants as contained in the communique issued by the NLC on May 15 to shut down all banks; airports, seaports, government offices, markets nationwide has proven that there is an urgent need for the injunction.
The lawsuit with No.NICN/ABJ/179/2016 between Federal Government of Nigeria and the Nigeria Labor Congress and Trade Union Congress was filed, following threats by the labor union to shutdown the Country, due to the recent hike in the pump price of fuel.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN argued that if the reliefs sought in the motion paper is refused, irreparable damage will be done to the country’s corporate existence, security and national economy, stating further that the defendants having threatened to shut down the country have to be restrained otherwise there will be a breakdown of law and order.
The Federal Government had Okoi Obono Obla, Special Assistant to the President on Prosecution, and Dayo Apata, Director of Civil Litigation at the Federal Ministry of Justice on its legal team.
