FG files contempt charge against NLC, TUC
The federal government has filed contempt suit against the Nigerian Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress and their affiliates.
The government had warned labour against flouting a court order restricting it from embarking on its earlier announced nationwide strike. Despite, Labour on Wednesday held rallies across states of the federation, arguing that it was a protest and not a strike.
The FG suit states: “TAKE NOTICE that unless you obey the Directions contained in the Order of the National Industrial Court, Abuja, delivered Honourable Justice Y. Anuwe on the 5th day of June, 2023, as per the attached Enrolled Order, you will be guilty of Contempt of Court and will be liable to be committed to prison.”
Commenting on the government’s action, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, frowned upon disobedience to court order. He however said the court order dwelled mainly on the intended strike and not protest, which the labour unions claimed to have done.
In his analysis also, the senior lawyer seemed to differentiate between a strike and a protest. Adegboruwa explained that the increase in petrol price from what it was when the government sought the restraining order meant that it equally flouted the court order – the same offence it leveled on the labour unions.
