By Roland Ekama
The National Industrial Court of Nigeria , Lagos Division on Thursday , adjourned for ruling the case between Trade Union Congress (TUC) as defendant against the Association of Senior Staff Bank , Insurance, and Financial Institution ( ASSBIFI) and nine affiliate unions as plaintiff to the 24th of August 2022 over issues bothering on leadership crisis.
The court also listened to the applications from parties interested to be joined in the suit.
Recall that the court had suspended the forthcoming 12th triennial delegate conference and elections of Trade Union Congress (TUC) from holding over leadership tussle, recently
But at the proceedings on Thursday 4th July 2022, Presiding Judge, Justice Rabi Gwandu of the Lagos Judicial Division , National Industrial Court, frowned at the 12th triennial delegate conference and elections which held in Abuja.
The judge frowned at the lawyers and parties that were involved, while warning that disobedience of court erodes confidence in the system and failure to check it will breed anarchy.
She queried the counsel to the defendants of their awareness of the election, even as she demanded to know if the Abuja division granted the go ahead of the election, saying that the plaintiff is entitled to seek reactions due to the short notices from the defendant inclusion of other parties , which should have been a 7- day notice.
TUC however claimed that the decision to hold the conference was hinged on another Order of court issued by Justice O.A Obaseki Osaghae of NIC Abuja.
Claimants’ counsel, Timothy Adewale informed the court of the disobedience of the order made by the court and that he has filed an application for contempt against the defendants.
According to him, the Order of the court stopping the defendants from holding the conference or doing anything whatsoever on the subject matter of this case until the determination of the substantive suit was clear and unambiguous.
He said he was shocked that despite the court order, the defendants went ahead to hold the conference in violation of the court order.
He urged the court to hear the contempt application adding that unless the defendants obeyed the court order, they will be guilty of contempt of court.
However, counsel to TUC, Ambassador Sola Iji told the court that the first defendant’s, (Trade Union Congress) decision to proceed with the 12th Triennial National Delegates Conference was based on an order by the National Industrial Court Abuja.
He stated that the court directed that the conference should hold in line with the provision of the existing constitution.
Hon. Gwandu also gave nod for the plaintiff to join as 11th party in suit even as she also granted the defendant to include co-defendants to the case.
The Judge, however, added that the matter should be adjourned for ruling on the 24th August 2022.
Other unions in the case include as applicants and claimants: The Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff NMNOWTSSA, Senior Staff Association of Shipping, Clearing and Forwarding Agencies, Pulp Paper and Paper Product Printing and Publishing Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PPAPPPAPSSAN), Automobile Boatyard, Transport, Equipment and all Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (AUTOBATE), Air Transport Service Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATTSSSAN), Precision Electrical and Related Equipment Senior Staff Association (PERESSA)
Others are Shop and Distributive Trade Senior Staff Association (SHOPDIS), Textile Garment and Tailoring Engineer Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (TGTSSAN), and Senior Staff Association of Universities Teaching Hospital, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTH).
While the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) is the lead defendants in the suit.
Addressing Journalists shortly after the court , Counsel to the plaintiff, Adewale expressed worries over the flagrant disobedience of the court by the defendants and other parties to be joined.
