The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) has warned the Nigeria Labour Congress against their planned nationwide protest.
The decision followed the conclusion of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the federal government regarding the widespread hardship.
In a letter dated February 23, 2024,and addressed to the counsel for the NLC, Femi Falana, (SAN) Fagbemi reminded the NLC of a subsisting order restraining the union from embarking on any industrial action.
Fagbemi insisted in the statement that the proposed nationwide protest action in all ramifications is in clear violation of the pending interim injunctive order granted in suit no: NICN/ABJ/158/2023 Federal Government of Nigeria & Anor V. Nigeria Labour Congress & Anor on 5th June 2023 restraining both NLC and TUC.
from embarking on any industrial action or strike of any nature.
The protest Blueprint reports is centred on issues around the fuel price hike, and matters of palliatives, workers welfare, and associated government policies.
The letter reads, “I wish to draw your esteemed attention to the joint press release dated February 8, 2024, containing a 14-day ultimatum, jointly issued by the president of the NLC and president of the TUC as well as the notice of a two-day national protest issued by the NLC president on February 16, 2024.
“A cursory perusal of the above press release clearly shows that the planned protest is premised on or connected with alleged non-implementation of the 16-point agreement reached with the Federal Government on October 02, 2023, consequences of the hike in the price of PMS, and other associated issues. It is therefore safe to assert again that the proposed cause of action by NLC is targeted at achieving objectives or promoting issues connected with a hike in fuel price and consequential matters of palliative workers’ welfare, and associated government policies.
“You may wish to note that the foregoing issues or objectives are at the core of the pending case before the National Industrial Court. Upon the submission of grievances to the court, parties in the suit cannot resort to public protests over the same issues, as such conduct amounts to gross contempt and affront to the institution of our courts of law.”
