Court maintains order restraining NLC, TUC from embarking on strike

The National Industrial Court has declared that the order restraining the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) from embarking on their planned industrial action subsists.

In Monday’s ruling, Justice Olufunke Anuwe said the order as granted on June 5 subsists pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

The court, in addition, ordered that parties maintain the status quo and adjourned the matter until July 20, for a hearing.

Counsel to the Nigerian Government Ochum Emmanuel informed the court that the matter was slated for Monday for the claimant to take its motion on notice for an interlocutory injunction to restrain the defendants from embarking on strike.

Emmanuel added that he was ready to proceed with his application as the defendants had been served.

Counsel to the defendant Marshall Abubakar responded that they had filed an application praying the court to set aside its order granted on June 5 that restrained his clients from embarking on strike.

He further submitted that the claimant was served the application on June 8, only for it to turn around and serve them a counter-affidavit on Monday in court.

He added that the claimant filed the counter-affidavit on June 16 and instructed the bailiff not to serve them until on Monday in court.

The court enquired if the defence was properly served before the court, Abubakar responded that he was not certain, but that he will find out.

He also prayed for a short adjournment in order to look at the counter-affidavit and respond.

In his response, Emmanuel opposed Abubakar’s application for adjournment and urged the court to allow him to take his motion on notice which was slated for hearing.