ASUU strike: Court of Appeals judge urges out-of-court settlement
A judge at the Abuja Court of Appeal on Wednesday urged lawyers representing both the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Nigerian government to find an out-of-court solution to the ongoing trade dispute that has shut down Nigerian public universities for more than seven months.
Biobele Georgewill, a member of the tribunal's three-member panel, made the recommendation during an industrial confrontation hearing.
The ASUU, represented by Femi Falana, Senior Advocate for Nigeria (SAN), had filed for a stay of execution of a recent National Labor Court decision, which forced the union to suspend its strike in course.
James Igwe, also a SAN, represented the federal government in Wednesday's proceedings.
“As seasoned lawyers, for the sake of the children and our lawyers, talk amongst yourselves, leave the litigants aside and agree on a way forward,” Mr. Georgewill told the two seasoned lawyers .
“The nation will be grateful to you,” he added.
In a post-trial interview with reporters, Mr. Igwe expressed optimism that he and Mr. Falana would be able to reach an agreement before the hearing scheduled for Thursday.
Mr. Falana also told reporters that his clients also want an out-of-court resolution of the case.
Hearing continues ThursdayEarlier Wednesday, the Court of Appeal set Thursday to hear ASUU's petition seeking a stay of execution of the National Labor Court's judgment ordering it to suspend its strike.
When the case was called on Wednesday, ASUU attorney Mr. Falana told the court that he had two claims before the court but wanted to withdraw one. The court granted his request.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr. Falana told the court that he had served the preferred demand on the Federal Government and had proof of service.
Federal government counsel Mr. Igwe, however, told the court that it was the withdrawn application that he saw and responded to.
He said that in light of the new development, he needed time to respond to the request which he said he intended to oppose.
Presiding Judge Hamma Barka, heading two other judges on the panel, therefore set Thursday to hear ASUU's request.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the National Labor Court on September 21 ordered ASUU to call off the strike.
The court granted the motion on notice filed by the federal government, urging teachers to return to classrooms.
Riding on the interlocutory injunction, Trial Judge Polycarp Hamman barred ASUU from pursuing the industrial action pending the disposition of the lawsuit filed against ASUU by the federal government.
>Vexed by the decision, the union went to the Court of Appeal to appeal the decision.
University professors went on strike on February 14 to demand the federal government honor an agreement it reached with the union in 2009 on issues including improved funding for universities and the review of teacher compensation.
Meanwhile, Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila recently held meetings with ASUU and federal government officials to resolve the crisis.
Mr. Gbajabiamila expressed his optimism that the crisis will end soon after meeting with President Muhammad Buhari to submit the recommendations he had reached during recent meetings on the issue.
(NAN)
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A judge at the Abuja Court of Appeal on Wednesday urged lawyers representing both the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Nigerian government to find an out-of-court solution to the ongoing trade dispute that has shut down Nigerian public universities for more than seven months.
Biobele Georgewill, a member of the tribunal's three-member panel, made the recommendation during an industrial confrontation hearing.
The ASUU, represented by Femi Falana, Senior Advocate for Nigeria (SAN), had filed for a stay of execution of a recent National Labor Court decision, which forced the union to suspend its strike in course.
James Igwe, also a SAN, represented the federal government in Wednesday's proceedings.
“As seasoned lawyers, for the sake of the children and our lawyers, talk amongst yourselves, leave the litigants aside and agree on a way forward,” Mr. Georgewill told the two seasoned lawyers .
“The nation will be grateful to you,” he added.
In a post-trial interview with reporters, Mr. Igwe expressed optimism that he and Mr. Falana would be able to reach an agreement before the hearing scheduled for Thursday.
Mr. Falana also told reporters that his clients also want an out-of-court resolution of the case.
Hearing continues ThursdayEarlier Wednesday, the Court of Appeal set Thursday to hear ASUU's petition seeking a stay of execution of the National Labor Court's judgment ordering it to suspend its strike.
When the case was called on Wednesday, ASUU attorney Mr. Falana told the court that he had two claims before the court but wanted to withdraw one. The court granted his request.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr. Falana told the court that he had served the preferred demand on the Federal Government and had proof of service.
Federal government counsel Mr. Igwe, however, told the court that it was the withdrawn application that he saw and responded to.
He said that in light of the new development, he needed time to respond to the request which he said he intended to oppose.
Presiding Judge Hamma Barka, heading two other judges on the panel, therefore set Thursday to hear ASUU's request.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the National Labor Court on September 21 ordered ASUU to call off the strike.
The court granted the motion on notice filed by the federal government, urging teachers to return to classrooms.
Riding on the interlocutory injunction, Trial Judge Polycarp Hamman barred ASUU from pursuing the industrial action pending the disposition of the lawsuit filed against ASUU by the federal government.
>Vexed by the decision, the union went to the Court of Appeal to appeal the decision.
University professors went on strike on February 14 to demand the federal government honor an agreement it reached with the union in 2009 on issues including improved funding for universities and the review of teacher compensation.
Meanwhile, Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila recently held meetings with ASUU and federal government officials to resolve the crisis.
Mr. Gbajabiamila expressed his optimism that the crisis will end soon after meeting with President Muhammad Buhari to submit the recommendations he had reached during recent meetings on the issue.
(NAN)
Support the integrity and credibility journalism of PREMIUM TIMES Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can guarantee the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy and a transparent government. For free and continued access to the best investigative journalism in the country, we ask that you consider providing modest support to this noble endeavour. By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you are helping to sustain relevant journalism and ensure it...What's Your Reaction?
