Court Upholds Order Restraining NASS Workers From Embarking On Strike

The National Industrial Court, Abuja, on Monday, held that its
order restraining the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria
(PASAN) from embarking on a planned strike had not been
vacated.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Senate President,
Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Yakubu Dogara, had instituted a suit against PASAN, seeking an
order to restrain its members from closing down the National
Assembly.

The duo, in their suit via a motion ex parte filed on Dec.18,
2018, also sought an order of the court, restraining PASAN from
proceeding on strike, pending the determination of the motion on
notice before it.

Joined in the suit as co-defendants, are the Chairman, Secretary
of PASAN, the Clerk and Deputy Clerk of National Assembly.

At the resumed hearing of motion on notice, the claimant’s
counsel, Anthony Ameh, informed the court that the interim order
and originating processes had been served on the defendants.

Ameh however, told the court that he had it on good authority
that PASAN was planning to embark on another strike.

The counsel went further to say that if the defendants embarked
on strike, the court should charge them with contempt of the
court.

Consequently, Justice Sanusi Kado, held that the interim order
of Dec. 18, 2018, restraining the defendants from embarking on
strike was still in force.

Kado then enquired from defendants’ counsel if they had been
served processes and if they had filed anything in reply.

Although Mr Omoloja Adegoke, Defence Counsel to first, second
and third defendants, said he had had been served, but noted that
he was only briefed on Friday and asked for time to take necessary
steps.

Mr Charles Yoila, Defence Counsel to fourth and fifth
defendants, on his part informed the court that he was only been
briefed on Monday.

He said he would have filed all necessary court processes before
the next date of adjournment.

The judge thereafter ordered that hearing notice be served on
all parties and adjourned the matter until Feb. 19 for hearing of
the motion on notice of interlocutory injunction.

NAN also recalls that the workers had embarked on protest on
Dec. 17, 2018 over claims of unpaid entitlement amongst other
things. (NAN)