By Vivian Micheal, Abuja
The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), on Monday, adjourned the suit filed by the Federal Government, challenging the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
Justice P.I Hamman, adjourned the suit until 16 September for further mention, after ordering parties in the suit to file and exchange court documents before the next adjourned date.
When the matter was called, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), indicated interest to join the suit.
SERAP, through its counsel, Ebun-Olu Adegnoruwa SAN, submitted that his client had filed a similar suit asking the court to compel the federal government to honour its 2009 agreement with the striking varsity lecturers.
He said, “We filed a similar suit on 8 September, asking the court to compel the Federal Government to honour an agreement it willingly entered into with ASUU.”
According to him, his request for joinder was premised on the need to forestall duplicity of outcomes concerning the industrial dispute.
Responding, the Federal Government, through his Counsel Tijjani Gazali SAN, opposed SERAP’s request, adding that it
“premature” as the case was billed for mention on Monday.
Reacting to Adegboruwa and Gazali’s arguments, Femi Falana who represents ASUU, said he was aware of efforts by the lawyers to file court papers in the suit on Monday.
Justice P.I Hamman, in his ruling on the SERAP’s joinder application, the judge agreed with the Federal Government that the suit was not ripe for consolidation.
The industrial court held that it was only presiding as a vacation judge as the case would be assigned to another judge for adjudication.
Meantime, the court adjourned till Friday, 16th September for further mentions.