Adedokun Waliyu 
The National Industrial Court on Friday in Abuja declined a request by the Federal Government to hear its application for interlocutory compelling members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to suspend their ongoing strike.
Friday’s proceedings in the suit brought against ASUU by the Federal Ministry of Transportation Labour and Productivity, plaintiff’s lawyer, James Igwe (SAN) urged the court to hear his client’s pending application for interlocutory injunction.
Igwe stressed that issues at stake were about national interest and an utmost urgency, noting that millions of students have been out of school since February 14, 2022 when university lecturers went on strike.
He added: “Section 47 of the Trade Dispute Act gives your lordship the power to direct that no worker should continue to embark on strike pending when the applications are heard and determined.”
Lawyer to ASUU, Femi Falana (SAN) objected to Igwe’ s request, and argued that the plaintiff’s application could not be heard because the court had scheduled the case for further mention
