The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday issued a threat to embark on an indefinite strike from Monday August 14 should the federal government fail to withdraw the lawsuit accusing the labour leadership of contempt of court.
The NLC president, Mr Joe Ajaero, announced the decision on Thursday night, barely 24 hours after meeting with President Bola Tinubu where an agreement was reached to call off a nationwide protest which began on Wednesday.
Ajaero hinged the decision on the contempt of court application filed by the federal ministry of justice against the labour leaders on Wednesday.
A communiqué issued at the end of the union’s national executive council meeting yesterday, in Abuja, demanded the immediate withdrawal of alleged contempt by the federal ministry of justice before the end of work on Friday, August 11.
Signed by Ajaero and the general secretary, Mr Emmanuel Ugboaja, the union vowed to embark on a nationwide total strike any day labour leaders are summoned to court by the government through the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN).
“The federal ministry of justice, through the NICN, has continued to allow itself to be used as a vehicle to truncate the dominance of the tenets of democracy and muzzle/silence the voices of Nigerian workers and, has served a summons on the leadership of the NLC and TUC to answer to contempt of court charges, despite the provisions of the constitution to the contrary and the objective realities.
“Consequently, NEC-in-session resolved as follows: To support and affirm the decision to suspend further protest on the nationwide mass protest
“To commit to maintaining the required vigilance needed to hold government accountable on its assurances and governance in general
“To commit to the terminal date of August 19, 2023, within which the issues around the petroleum price hike will be agreed, given the assurances of the President and the National Assembly.
“To go on total strike across the country any day labour leaders are summoned to court by the government through the NICN.
“To demand the immediate withdrawal of this litigious terrorism by the federal ministry of justice before the end of work on Friday, August 11, 2023.
“To embark on a nationwide comprehensive strike beginning Monday, August 14, 2023, if these contemptuous court summons are not withdrawn by whosoever initiated it,” the NLC stated.
Recall that the federal government had Wednesday, filed a contempt proceeding against the NLC, and the TUC for allegedly embarking on an industrial action, contrary to a June 5, 2023, ex parte order by the National Industrial Court, NIC.
The “notice of consequences of disobedience to order of court” filed before NICN in Abuja, was addressed to Ajaero; NLC deputy presidents, Messrs Audu Aruba, Adeyanju Adewale and Kabiru Sani and Ugboaja; TUC president and the secretary general, Messrs Festus Usifo Nuhu Toro.
The contempt notice, signed by senior registrar, Balogun Olajide, read: “Take notice that unless you obey the directions contained in the order of the National Industrial Court, Abuja, delivered by Honourable Justice Y. Anuwe on June 5, 2023, as per the attached enrolled order, you will be guilty of contempt of court and will be liable to be committed to prison.
The federal government also attached a copy of the ex parte order made by Justice Anuwe on June 5, 2023, to the notice of contempt proceeding forwarded to the NLC and TUC officials.
The order read 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 on June 19, 2023. The hearing notices to that effect shall be served on the defendants/Respondent along with the other processes.”
