Court restrains NLC, TUC from embarking on strike

The National Industrial Court of Nigeria in Abuja has restrained the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) from embarking on a strike over the removal of fuel subsidy.

In a suit N0: NICN/ABJ/158/2023, the Federal Government (FG) obtained an order restraining the two unions from embarking on any form of strike on Monday.

The federal government’s counsel, Maimuna Lami Shiru, who filed the application, told the court that the proposed strike action could disrupt economic activity, the health sector, and the educational sector.

FG further tendered Exhibits FGN 1, 2, and 3, which were notices from the NLC, TUC, and the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) to their members, asking them to withdraw their services with effect from Wednesday, June 7.

Ruling on an ex parte application filed before the court, Justice O.Y. Anuwe then barred the two unions from proceeding with the strike action pending the determination of a suit that was brought before it by FG.

“Counsel has pointed out that students of secondary schools nationwide, especially those writing WAEC exams nationwide, will be affected; the tertiary institutions who have only just resumed after a long ASUU strike will also be affected, not leaving the health sector, amongst other sectors; and above all, the economy of the nation.

“In my view, this is a situation of extreme urgency that will require the intervention of this court,” Justice Anuwe held.

The court also directed that the defendants be immediately served with the originating processes in the suit filed, as it fixed Monday, June 19, for hearing.