Industrial Court fixes Wednesday to rule on suit against ASUU
The National Industrial Court in Nigeria has fixed Wednesday, 21 September 2022 to decide on an application by the Nigerian government seeking the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to resume work while awaiting the decision of the court on their on-going strike.
The Court on Monday began hearing on an application by the Nigerian Government seeking that the University lecturers resume work.
Justice Polycarp Hamman fixed the date after the lead counsel to the Nigerian Government, Mr James Igwe, argued his application seeking an order of the court restraining ASUU from further continuing with the nationwide strike.
He also, ruled against a preliminary objection by ASUU noting that the Court is meant to hear the application by the government.
The judge set aside the application by ASUU through its counsel, Femi Falana, opposing to the Court’s hearing of the Federal Government’s application.
The Court further noted that the preliminary objection was not yet ripe for hearing, adding that the rule of the Court has provision to hear both the preliminary objection alongside the main suit.
Counsel to the Nigerian Government James Igwe argued that Section 18(1)E of the Trade Disputes Act provides that employees cannot be on strike when a matter is before the Industrial Court.
The Nigerian government had approached the court to challenge the ongoing industrial action by the university lecturers.
