On Wednesday, the Federal Government filed a contempt proceeding against the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) due to their recent industrial action.
The government claims that this action goes against a June 5, 2023, ex-parte order issued by the National Industrial Court (NIC).
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Background
A document titled “Notice of Consequences of Disobedience to Order of Court” was presented to the NIC in Abuja and sent to several important members of the NLC and TUC.
Among the recipients were NLC President Joe Ajaero, Deputy Presidents Audu Aruba, Prince Adeyanju Adewale, Kabiru Sani, and General Secretary Emmanuel Ugboaja.
The notice was also sent to TUC President Engr Festus Usifo and the Scribe/Chief Executive Nuhu Toro.
The contempt notice, signed by Senior Registrar Balogun Olajide, explicitly reads “Take notice that unless you comply with the directives stated in the order issued by Honourable Justice Y. Anuwe of the National Industrial Court, Abuja, on June 5, 2023, as per the attached enrolled order, you may be found in contempt of court and could be subject to imprisonment.”
In addition to the contempt notice, the Federal Government also provided a copy of the exparte order issued by Justice Anuwe on June 5, 2023.
This order has been forwarded to the officials of the NLC and TUC as part of the proceedings.
The order reads in part;” Having therefore considered the totality of this application, I make the following orders: The defendants/Respondents are hereby restrained from embarking on the planned Industrial Action/or strike of any nature pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice dated June 5, 2023.
“It is ordered that the defendant/Respondents be immediately served with the originating processes in this suit, the Motion on Notice and the order of this court hereby made”.
“The Motion on Notice is hereby fixed for hearing for June 19, 2023. The Hearing Notices to that effect shall be served on the defendants/Respondent along with the other processes.”