The National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja has restrained the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress as well and their affiliates from embarking on any strike or industrial action.
The unions had after an extraordinary National Executive Council meeting on Tuesday in Abuja declared a total nationwide strike from November 14, 2023.
The unions took the decision following the alleged assault on the NLC National President, Joe Ajaero last week in Imo State.
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But the Attorney General of the Federation, the Minister of Justice, and the Federal Government of Nigeria filed an ex-parte appeal pleading with the court to prevent the unions from going ahead with the scheduled strike.
The FG and AGF informed the court in their plea that law-abiding citizens and their companies will suffer greatly as a result of the strike.
PTijani Gazali SAN, the Federal Government’s and the AGF’s attorney, stated during the hearings on Friday that many Nigerians were harmed when labor unions on Thursday blocked the country’s principal airport exits during their rally.
In his decision, Justice Benedict Kanyip, the court’s president, ordered the unions to end their statewide strike, citing articles 17 and 19 of the National Industrial Court Act.
“The court has the authority to step in and impose a restraining order in order to maintain peace and quiet,” he stated.
In order to alert the two defendants to the court’s stance, Kanyip ordered that the restraining order be posted on the wall of Labour House, which is their last known residence.
In addition, the judge ordered that the defendants receive service of the order, the originating procedure, and other documents by publishing in two significant national daily.