The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) has fixed 16th September for further mention concerning the suit filed by the federal government over the ongoing ASUU strike.
The incessant ASUU strike that has been ongoing since February 14 over matters of salary reviews for lecturers, improved funding and other issues, has proven irreconcilable between ASUU and the federal government.
The socio- Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) that recently sought to join the law suit as an interested party, claims that a similar suit had been filed requesting for the court to compel the federal government to honour its 2009 agreement with ASUU. This was to avoid a recurrence of outcomes.
Unfortunately, SERAP’s application was overruled as premature with reason being that the case was already billed for mention on Monday.
Parties involved in the law suit were ordered by the judge to file and exchange court documents and finally adjourned the case until September 16.
The concerned federal government in the hope to put an end to the incessant strike, further requested for the court to interpret the entire provisions of Section 18 LFN 2004, once a trade dispute is acknowledged by the Minister of Labour and employment.
The federal government also prayed for an order from the court for ASUU members to resume work in their various varsities, while the issues are being addressed by the NICN in accordance to the provisions of Section 18 (I) (b) of the TDA Cap T8. LFN 2004.
As it stands, the federal government strongly opposes and is appalled by the prolonged strike caused by ASUU.