The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) has fixed 16th of September to hear the suit filed by the Federal Government challenging the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
At Monday’s proceedings,counsel for the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa sought to join the suit as an interested party that his client had a similar suit asking the court to compel the federal government to honour its 2009 agreement with the striking varsity lecturers .
But the Federal Government’s lawyer, Tijjani Gazali opposed the move as SERAP’s application was premature.
Counsel for ASUU, Femi Falana on his part appreciate the efforts by the lawyers in the suit
Justice Peter Hamman in his ruling held that
SERAP’s joinder application was not ripe for hearing and adjourned the suit until 16 September for further mention saying he was only presiding as a vacation judge that the case would be assigned to another judge for adjudication.
In the case which was instituted by Labour and Employment Minister, Chris Ngige, the federal government is asking for an order directing the striking university teachers to resume work in line with the provisions of Section 18 subsection 1b of the Trade Disputes Act.2004 that the strike was already jeopardising the national education system.
Editor Paul Akhagbemhe
