The National Industrial Court on Monday declared that the order restraining the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) from embarking on their planned industrial action subsists.
Justice Olufunke Anuwe stated that 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 status quo and adjourned the matter until July 20, for hearing.
Earlier, when the case was called, the Federal Government’s counsel, Mr 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.
He added that he was ready to proceed with his application as the defendants had been served.
Mr Marshall Abubakar, the NLC’s counsel on his part however replied that they had filed an application praying the court to set aside its order granted on June 5, restraining his clients from embarking on strike.
Abubakar further submitted that the claimant was served the application on June 8, only for them to turn around and serve on 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 defence was properly before the court, Abubakar responded that he was not certain, but that he will find out and do the needful.
He also prayed for a short adjournment in order to look at the counter-affidavit and respond.
Recall the organised labour had planned to embark on nationwide strike on June 7 to protest the fuel subsidy removal that brought about the new pump price for the Premium Motor Spirit.
The federal government had therefore instituted the suit to stop the labour stating that the proposed strike may gravely affect the larger society and the well-being of the nation at large.
