FG Threatens Labour With Contempt Charge as NLC Commences Strike

The Federal Government on Monday asked the organised Labour to shelve its planned strike slated to commence today.

The government reminded the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and the Trade Union Congress, TUC of a restraining order issued by the National Industrial Court, Abuja, on Friday.

The TUC President, Festus Osifo, had announced at a press conference in Abuja on Monday that the labour action would commence today in protest against the assault on the President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero by suspected thugs in Owerri, Imo State, on November 1.

President of the NIC, Justice Benedict Kanyip, had restrained the labour centres and their affiliates from embarking on any form of strike.

The judge issued the order following an ex-parte application brought before the court by the Federal Government through the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Lateef Fagbemi.

The Special Assistant to the AGF on Communication and Publicity, Kamarudeen Ogundele, in an interview with one of our correspondents warned the unions that any action taken in violation of the court would amount to contempt.

Speaking at a news conference, Osifo explained that all the affiliates of the NLC and TUC had been mobilised for the strike which might paralyse economic activities across the country.

Narrating his ordeal to journalists in Abuja on Friday, the NLC president explained that the police in Owerri handed him over to thugs who brutalised him.

Ajaero who wore a dark shade to cover his swollen eyes, said and I QUOTE “I can’t explain the beating I received. They tied my hands and dragged me on the floor like a common criminal. I am not even a card-carrying member of any political party as alleged.” END QUOTE

The state Governor, Hope Uzodimma, had accused the labour leader of meddling in the affairs of the state, hinting that Ajaero’s action was politically motivated.

The Imo State Police Command had claimed that the NLC president was taken into protective custody to save him from a mob attack.

A letter jointly signed by the National Secretary of the NLC, Emmanuel Ugboaja and the Secretary General of the TUC, Nuhu Toro, and dated November 13, 2023, directed the affiliate unions to comply with the strike directive.

The affiliates included the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, National Union of Electricity Employees, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics and dozens of others across various sectors.