FG accuses Labour of failing to comply with court orders

According to the TUC President, Organised Labour has not received a restraining order preventing it from carrying out the current strike action.

Organised Labour has stated that no court order was received from the Federal Government or any of its parties not to proceed with the strike, which started on Tuesday, despite the fact that the nationwide industrial action declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) is now in its second day.

Festus Osifo, the president of the TUC, criticised the government for “perpetually violating” court rulings while expecting other institutions to follow the law during his appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily broadcast on Wednesday.

Osifo recalled that Godwin Emefiele, the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), was detained by the secret police and held for approximately five months before being released. During this time, court orders directing his release were disregarded by the Federal Government and the Department of State Services (DSS).

“Yes, we do not have a court-ordered service, but the government of today consistently disobeys court orders. How many court orders were issued for Emefiele’s release while she was being held by DSS? Numerous of them,” an enraged Osifo remarked on our morning programme.

The labour leader went on to say that the unions would consult with their solicitors and make a decision after receiving a court order on the current strike.

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“We have a state that disobeys court rulings. You now expect others to follow court orders, but as responsible institutions, we will not state that since the Federal Government consistently violates the law; instead, we will look into it and take appropriate action if necessary.

Osifo chastised the administration for constantly racing to court to get restraining orders to put an end to labour action rather than interacting with the unions and resolving their complaints. Getting court orders, in his opinion, is not a good example of government labour relations.

Justice Benedict Backwash Kanyip of the National Industrial Court issued a “restraining order last week,” which Labour must abide by, according to the Presidency and the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, which chastised Labour for starting the indefinite action.

In response to an attack on NLC President Joe Ajaero in Owerri, the capital of Imo State, on November 1, 2023, as he prepared to lead a protest against alleged anti-labor practises by the administration of Governor Hope Uzodimma, labourers went on strike across the country on Tuesday in an effort to seek justice.

Numerous states’ workers joined the walkout, causing some government-owned facilities to close.

State Houses of Assembly, public schools, and state high courts were shuttered, and several capital city banks closed their doors, forcing patrons to utilise ATMs to complete their transactions.