The Federal Government may consider an out-of-court settlement with the striking members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities.
This publication reported that the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige sued the striking university in a subpoena dated September 8 and addressed to the Chief Registrar of the National Industrial Court.
Ngige asked that the suit be given an accelerated hearing in order to resolve the dispute between the union and the government.
He prayed the court to interpret in its entirety the provisions of Section 18 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, especially as it applies to the cessation of strike action once a trade dispute is being resolved.
The suit which was heard initially by Justice Hamman Polycarp on Monday, September 12, 2022, was adjourned to September 16, 2022.
However, a source in the Ministry of Labour and Employment who spoke with The PUNCH in strict confidence on Thursday revealed that the government might consider an out-of-court settlement should the striking lecturers call off their strike and return to work.
The source noted that the reason why the striking lecturers were dragged to court was because of their failure to return to work despite the efforts made by the government.
The source said, “We may consider an out-of-court settlement if they agree to return to work. The reason we dragged them to court initially was because they refused our pleas to return to work. We met with them several times and made moves for reconciliation but they refused. The reason for going to court is for the court to compel them to go back to work. If they agree to resume, there is no need going ahead with the suit.”
