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

The National Industrial Court in Owerri, the capital of Imo state, has ordered an extended interim injunction prohibiting the organised labour movement from staging any type of strike in the state.

The Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress have also been ordered not to participate in Occupy IMO until the next adjourned date.

Justice Nelson Ogbuanya issued the ruling after hearing the Attorney General of Imo State, Cyprian Akaolisa, who asked the court to grant a longer interim order against the defendants in light of their renewed threat to seize Imo.

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

In action No. NICN/OW/41/2023, the petitioners, the Attorney General of Imo State and the Imo State Government, requested that the existing injunction prohibiting the defendants from going on strike be extended.

Their case was based on an affidavit in which the first defendant (NLC) is currently mobilising its members from the South East and South South for a strike to seize Imo beginning November 1, 2023, according to a letter dated October 16, 2023.

After hearing from both lawyers in the case, the court granted an order for a prolonged interim injunction preventing the defendants from going on strike in any form.

The court warned against disobeying its order, stating it would result in penalties.

The case was postponed until November 3, 2023, for either a hearing or a report of settlement.