A National Industrial Court in Abuja has stopped the planned strike by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) over the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.
Justice Olufunke Anuwe on Monday restrained the NLC and all its affiliates from embarking on the strike planned for June 7 until the hearing and determination of the main suit.
The court further ordered the service of the originating summons and motion on notice on the NLC against the next adjourned date of June 19.
The orders of the court followed an ex parte application by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice seeking to stop the planned strike.
On June 2, NLC issued a five-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to revert to the old price of petrol or face a nationwide strike. Workers’ unions including the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) and Nigeria Union of Journalists have asked their members to join the planned strike.
The Federal Government, however, approached the court on Monday for an interim injunction against the unions.
Justice Anuwe said the government was able to show that the planned strike is capable of disrupting activities in the health and education sectors.
“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 5th June 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 19th June 2023. Hearing notices to that effect shall be served on the defendants/respondents along with the other processes,” the judge said.
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