The suit filed by the Federal Government against the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over the union’s seven-month-long strike has been adjourned by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria until September 16th, 2022.
The Federal Government petitioned the Abuja High Court, demanding an order for ASUU to resume its engagement to resolve their conflict.
According to Olajide Oshundun, Head of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the matter was brought to the registrar of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria by the Minister, Chris Ngige, on Thursday, September 8.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) had tried to join the suit as an interested party.
Ebun-Olu Adegnoruwa (SAN) SERAP’s lawyer, disclosed that his client had filed a similar suit to force the Federal Government to honour its 2009 pact with the striking lecturers.
He said SERAP’s request to be included in the matter is based on the need to prevent the deceitfulness in the outcome of the industrial conflict. Tijjani Gazali (SAN), counsel to the Federal Government, however, opposed SERAP’s application.
Tijjani told the judge that SERAP’s application was impetuous as the case was billed for mention on Monday. Counsel to ASUU, Femi Falana, however, maintained that he was aware of the moves by lawyers to file court papers in the suit on Monday.
The judge ruled that the suit was too premature for consolidation by SERAP. He also said he was only ruling over the matter as a vacation judge and the case would be handed to another judge for a ruling.
The judge adjourned the matter to Friday, 16 September 2022, and ordered both parties to file and exchange court documents.
