Court restrains Nigeria's labour from 'fuel hike' strike

A National Industrial Court has stopped the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress from embarking on a proposed strike to protest last week’s increase in fuel price by the federal government.

The labour unions had earlier after an emergency meeting vowed to embark on a nationwide industrial action should government refuse to reverse the recent hike in the price of fuel by Tuesday, Thisday reports.

Strike looming in #Nigeria after #fuel price increase, labour congress threatens. https://t.co/pz31UA6y9A

— africanews (@africanews) May 16, 2016

However, in a ruling on Tuesday, Justice Babatunde Adejumo gave a restraining order to the unions from embarking on strike, pending the determination of a suit the federal government lodge before it.

“The defendants are hereby restrained from carrying out the threat contained in their communique issued on May 14th pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed on May 16,” he said

He also ordered that the process in the case be served on the respondents within 24 hours and that proof of service be filed in the court.

“It is the order of this court that none of the parties shall engage in any act, conduct, overtly, covertly on this matter pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice,” he further held.

The judge has also transfered the case to another judge of the court saying that the he would be engaged at the National Judicial Council and would not be able to take further proceeding on the matter.

The order followed an application that was by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice.

Determined to abort the planned strike action, The Attorney General approached the NLC begging it to restrain Labour unions from “shutting down the nation”.

AGF argued that ordinary and law abiding citizens would be subjected to hardship if the respondents were allowed to go ahead with their threat.

The order will lapse in seven days except it is renewed.

However, Ayuba Wabba faction of the NLC has defied the court order, and vowed to commence a nationwide strike from tomorrow, May 18, 2016 over increase in fuel pump price as earlier scheduled.

While Comrade Joe Ajaero faction of the Union has backed out of the planned strike called by the Congress.

Ajaero said his group cannot be part of the action because it was called at a wrong time and with wrong motives.