The National Industrial Court (NIC) has ordered the striking university lecturers body, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to suspend its prolonged action.
The order follows the motion on notice filed by the Federal Government against ASUU, which has been on strike for about seven months
Counsel to the FG, James Igwe SAN, had argued that the court had powers to call off the ASUU strike based on trade union laws, even as negotiations between the Union and Federal Government continues.
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However, Femi Falana SAN, Counsel to ASUU, insisted that the government must show how the strike has caused damage to tertiary institutions.
He urged the court to dismiss the application because it is based on hearsay since the representative of the FG does not belong to the university community.
The Presiding Judge, Justice Polycarp Hamman, noted the effect of the strike action by ASUU on the lives of the students, adding that he would grant the Federal Government’s request in the interest of justice and fairness to all.
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“Students have been out of school for 7 months in Nigeria where age is a factor in employment,” Justice Hamman said.
“I, therefore, hold that the balance of convenience tilts in favour of granting the application.”
He further said the protracted industrial dispute had inflicted irreparable damage on Nigerian students, who have been forced out of school since February 14, 2022.
Therefore, the judge, relying on the Court’s discretionary powers over trade union disputes, ordered suspension of the seven-month-old ASUU strike.
