Vows to Continue With Strike
By Kamil Opeyemi
The Nigerian Labour Congress has accused the Attorney General of the Federation and Minuster of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, of attempting to gag the workers saying nothing can stop them from going ahead with the planned strike.
In a statement titled “The AGF Has Descended into the Arena” the Labour said Fagbemi’s statement on court order stopping them from going on strike is not only insulting to the workers, it is an attempt to intimidate with the instrument of the law.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, on Friday said that the proposed strike was in clear violation of the pending interim injunctive order granted on June 5, 2023, restraining both the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), fromembarking on any industrial action or strike pending the hearing and determination of the pending motion on notice.
Responding, NLC President Joe Ajaero stated in a statement that the Congress found it curious that Fagbemi, a well-bred professional, could indulge in such talk.
Ajaero expressed surprise that the AGF was still making reference to a restraining order that had been imposed on June 5 through motion exparte and that the Ministry of Justice had said had expired due to non-diligent prosecution in a formal statement.
“We find it pathetic that Mr Fagbemi strives to operate fromthehigh moral ground by advising‘Labour Unions on the need to protect the integrity ofcourts and observe the sanctity of court orders.’ “Who is causing more injury to the sanctity of the courts? Those seeking to convert a restraining order obtained under the cover of the night to a perpetual injunction or the victims of this terrorism?
General Secretary of TUC, Nuhu Toro said: “The federal government and the government of Nigeria are not practising what they preach. I make bold to say this because, there is a subsisting court judgement in Lagos, delivered at the National Industrial Court, sitting in Lagos which stated that Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) is on the exclusive legislative list and therefore, the Lagos State Government has no business interfering in their activities, but as I speak to you today, they did notjust disrespect the court ruling, they are still perpetuating themselves in the seizure of their property.
“If the government is preaching upholding the rule of law, they should show it so that Nigerians will know that they are really practicing what they preach.
He restated the congresses decision to embark on a strike, adding that addressing their demands is the only thing that can stop them.
“The court order is a black market injunction in my opinion and we are going ahead with our mobilisation.