Prolong Strike: Court orders ASUU to resume lectures.
A National Industrial Court sitting in Port Harcourt has ordered the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU to call off its seven-month-long strike.
Justice Polycarp Hamman, a vacation judge, who gave the ruling on the interlocutory injunction filed by the Federal Government, restrained ASUU from further continuing with the strike pending the determination of the federal government suit against ASUU.
On what ground was the judgment given?
The federal government through its counsel, James Igwe, had on Monday prayed the National Industrial Court to grant an interlocutory injunction urging the striking lecturers to return to classrooms, citing the infrastructural damage the prolonged strike, which began on February 14, is having on tertiary institutions and on the Nigerian students.
The court while giving the ruling invoked Section 18 of the Trade Dispute Act and the national interest of the Nigerian students to grant the request of the Federal Government for an order of injunction against ASUU.
What’s ASUU’s response to the judgment?
Reacting to the ruling of the National Industrial Court, ASUU, in a statement signed by its Lagos Zonal Coordinator, Adelaja Odukoya said the National President of the union; Professor Emmanuel Osodeke has asked the union’s lawyers to file an appeal and stay of execution of the judgment.
According to the statement, Professor Osodeke urged ASUU members to remain calm as there is no cause for alarm on the back-to-work order delivered by the National Industrial court. “Members should remain resolute and strong. A people united can never be defeated. Solidarity without compromise.” The statement read in part.
