Court Extends Restraining Order On Planned NLC, TUC Strike In Imo

The National Industrial Court sitting in Owerri, the Imo state capital, has issued an extended interim injunction restraining the organised labour movement from embarking on any kind of strike in Imo state.

Both the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress are further ordered not to embark on OCCUPY IMO, as planned, until the next adjourned date.

Justice Nelson Ogbuanya gave the order after hearing what Cyprian Akaolisa, the Attorney General of Imo State, had to say. He asked the court to issue an extended interim order against the defendants because they had again threatened to go on strike by occupying Imo.

The defendants are the Nigeria Labour Congress and its secretary general, Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja and the Trade Union Congress and its secretary general, Comrade Nuhu Toro.

In suit No. NICN/OW/41/2023, in which the Attorney General of Imo State and the Imo State Government are applicants,  they prayed that since there is a subsisting order restraining the defendants from going on strike, the order should be extended.

Their argument was hinged on an affidavit by which the first defendant (NLC), by a letter dated October 16, 2023, is currently mobilising its members from the Southeast and South for a strike to occupy Imo from November 1, 2023.

After hearing from both counsels in the suit, the court granted the order of an extended interim injunction restraining the defendants from embarking on any strike in whatever guise.

The court warned against the disobedience of its order,saying that it would attract consequences.

The Court adjourned the matter to November 3, 2023, for either a hearing or report of settlement.