Justice Polycarp Hamman of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Abuja, who presided over the case between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has adjourned the case to September 16, 2022.
Justice Polycarp Hammah on Monday, the suit instituted against the university union at the Abuja Industrial Court seeking an order for ASUU to call off the strike while negotiation between both parties continues.
The letter containing the charges against ASUU was sent to the court on September 9, 2022.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, said that ASUU has been very adamant about resolving the case and calling off the strike despite the damage it has caused to the university education system and the economy generally.
Parties to the suit include the National President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, as a defendant, the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, Minister of Justice, and the Minister of Labour and Employment.
During Monday’s proceeding, on the matter came up, a human rights group, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) sought to join the suit as an interested party. The group’s counsel, Ebun-Olu Adegoruwa, SAN informed the court that he had filed a suit on the same subject matter before the same court to compel the Federal Government to honor its 2009 agreement with the university teachers.
Counsel to the Federal Government, Mr. T.A Gazali, SAN, however, opposed SERAP’s application to join in the suit, saying it was premature and that there was no need for the group to make such an application as its name was not on the cause list.
Responding to that, Counsel to ASUU, Femi Falana SAN, however, told the court that he was aware that both lawyers would file papers regarding the suit on Monday.
The judge, in his ruling, held that the case is not yet ripe for consolidation by SERAP, and adjourned the matter until Friday, for further mention.
