Tobias Sylvester
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) says it will appeal the order by the National Industrial Court (NIC) directing the suspension of its seven-month-old strike.
KanyiDaily recalls that ASUU had embarked on a warning strike since February 14, 2022, over the failure of the federal government to meet its demands.
Amid the strike, the government and the union have held a series of meetings, but both sides have reached no agreement on ending the seven-month-old strike.
Consequently, the federal government filed an application for an interlocutory injunction at the national industrial court, seeking an order to restrain the ASUU from further continuing with the ongoing nationwide strike.
Ruling on the matter on September 21, Justice Polycarp Hamman granted the government’s application and ordered ASUU to resume work pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
Justice Hamman held that the strike is detrimental to public university students who cannot afford to attend private tertiary institutions.
ASUU To Appeal Court Order On Resumption
Reacting to the development, renowned human rights activist, Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who is the counsel to ASUU, said the ruling will be challenged at the court of appeal.
In a statement sent on Wednesday by the Chairman of Lagos Zone of ASUU, Adelaja Odukoya, the union urged its members to “remain calm”, saying its lawyer is already filing an appeal.
The statement by ASUU is titled; “NIC Back to Work Order on ASUU: Be Calm.” It urged members and Nigerians to remain united, even as it suggested that the order would be vacated.
The statement reads in part; “Our Comrade President, Comrade Victor Osodeke, has urged members of our Great Union to remain calm as there is no cause for alarm on the back to work order delivered earlier today.
“Our lawyer is filing an appeal and stay of execution of the judgment. Members should remain resolute and strong. A people united can never be defeated. Solidarity without compromise.”
This comes a few days after the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) staged a protest at the Lagos Airport against the prolonged ASUU strike.
