The National Industrial Court in Owerri has issued a fresh interim injunction restraining the organised labour from embarking on any kind of strike in Imo State until further notice.
The court warned against the disobedience of its order, saying that it would attract consequences.
Justice N C S Ogbuanya gave the order on Friday after hearing the submissions of counsels to both parties that they were yet to reach a settlement on their dispute.
The defendants are Nigeria Labour Congress and the Secretary General, Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja and the Trade Union Congress and its Secretary General, Comrade Nuhu Toro.
In the suit No NICN/ OW/41/2023, the Attorney General of Imo State and the Imo State government are claimants.
The court held that in considering the motion for interlocutory injunction by the claimants, after hearing from both counsels, it had reserved till November 30,2023 for the ruling.
The court further held thus: “Considering the court’ s duty to ensure that labour dispute and related disagreements between the parties are not allowed to escalate and adversely affect the interests and well-being of the citizenry and third parties who are not involved in the labour dispute already submitted for adjudication in the pending suit in the court”, it was necessary for the parties to hold the peace till the next adjourned date.
“Parties are hereby directed to be mindful of consequences of disobedience of extant court order in the pending suit before the court,” it further ordered.
The court adjourned the matter to November, 30,2023 for ruling on the interlocutory injunction filed by the claimants.
However, a section of labour has since embarked on strike action paralysing business activities in the state even against the court order that both parties hold peace pending determination of the case.
Meanwhile, the Labour Party has supported the call by the NLC to redeploy the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Stephen Olarewaju.
The Labour Party in a statement issued yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, decried the attack on NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero in the state and called on the Police hierarchy to immediately rejig the entire police structure in Imo.
The statement reads in part: “The Labour Party is aligning with the leadership of NLC and TUC to demand the immediate removal of the Commissioner of Police, Imo State, the Area Commander, and other officials who are believed to be involved in the mistreatment and degradation of Comrade Ajaero and fellow workers.
“The Labour Party had a few months ago petitioned the Chairman Police Service Commission on the continued stay in office and discharge of duties of the present Commissioner of Police in Imo State who once held sway of the Adamawa State Police Command. Even against the directive of the Commission that the CP be redeployed immediately, he has blatantly disregarded the order.
“We are using this medium to call on the Police hierarchy to immediately rejig the entire police structure in Imo state. Their role in the attack on Labour Union leaders was done in bad faith and unmistakable evidence that someone is clearly blowing the trumpet they are dancing”.
