Why NLC Should Suspend Planned Nationwide Protest – Fagbemi, Says Its Contempt Of Court

By Akinwale Kasali

The Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, to shelve its planned nationwide protest over the pathetic state of the nation’s economy.

NLC’s counterpart, the Trade Union Congress, TUC, which was expected to join in the strike action has opted out of the action and revealed that it was not carried along in the decision to go on strike.

The AGF said that the NLC and the TUC had planned a nationwide protest scheduled for February 28th and 29th, 2024, but said it is a contempt of court. He raised a subsisting order which restrained the union from embarking on any industrial action.

Fagbemi, in a letter to NLC’s Counsel, Femi Falana, SAN, dated February 23rd February, 2024, said: “I wish to draw your esteemed attention to the Joint Press Release dated 8th February 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 16th February 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 palliatives 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. Therefore, 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. NIGERIAN LABOUR CONGRESS & ANOR on 5th June 2023 restraining both NLC and TUC from embarking on any industrial action or strike of any nature.

“It is not in doubt that the planned protest is designed to compel the government to accede to the demands of organised labour, therefore, such action qualifies as an industrial action which comes within the ambit of the restraining order. This restraining order has neither been stayed nor set- aside and therefore remains binding.”

The AGF also stated that the Federal government had substantially met the demands of the union as contained in the Memorandum of Understanding entered with the NLC.

Fagbemi said, ” I wish to note that the government has substantially and reasonably complied with the items in the MOU and it is only appropriate and equitable for organized labour to engage more with the government to ensure the full implementation of same, especially in areas that have been inhibited by unforeseen challenges.

“ May I, therefore request that you kindly implore and enjoin your clients to refrain from self-help by shelving the proposed protests which are antithetical to the mediatory engagements leading to the execution of the MOU, tantamount to undermining subsisting restraining court order, and occasioning disruption of public service, order, and safety.”

The NLC, however, insists on the strike action.