Victor EzejaThe National Industrial Court of Nigeria has adjourned to September 16, 2022, the suit filed by the Nigerian Government against the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over the seven-month-old strike embarked upon by the union.
The federal government had through the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, filed a suit against the university union at the Abuja Industrial Court seeking an order for ASUU to call off the strike while negotiation between both parties continues.
Prime Business Africa reported that the letter containing the charges against ASUU was sent to the court on September 9, 2022.
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Ngige had said that ASUU has been very adamant about resolving the case and calling off the strike despite the damage it has caused to the university education system and the economy generally.
Parties to the suit include the National President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, as a defendant, the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, Minister of Justice and Minister of Labour and Employment.
Justice Polycarp Hamman of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Abuja, presided over the matter on Monday.
During the Monday’s proceeding, on the matter came up, a human rights group, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) sought to join the suit as an interested party. The group’s counsel, Ebun-Olu Adegoruwa, SAN informed the court that he had filed a suit on the same subject matter before the same court to compel the Federal Government to honour its 2009 agreement with the university teachers.
Counsel to the Federal Government, Mr T.A Gazali, SAN, however, opposed SERAP’s application to joined in the suit, saying it was premature and that there was no need for the group to make such application as its name was not on the cause list.
Responding to that, Counsel to ASUU, Femi Falana SAN, however, told the court that he was aware that both lawyers would file papers regarding the suit on Monday.
The judge, in his ruling, held that the case is not yet ripe for consolidation by SERAP, and adjourned the matter until Friday, for further mention.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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