The Organised Labour has threatened to embark on an immediate nationwide action if the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, is not released by the end of today (Wednesday).
Recall that Ajaero was picked in Owerri, the capital of Imo State, earlier on Wednesday during a protest by workers in Imo State over an alleged “serial and habitual abuse and violation” of their rights by the state government.
The NLC president was arrested at the NLC State Council Secretariat by some heavily armed policemen in Owerri.
In a joint statement by the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) shortly after Ajaero’s arrest, the Labour unions accused the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma and the Imo State Commissioner of Police of allegedly abducting the NLC leader.
The Organised Labour said workers cannot be at work while the NLC President “is in the gulag.”
The Organised Labour said that Uzodimma must be called to order by President Bola Tinubu “to avert turning the state into – a den of thugs and blood suckers.”
Meanwhile, the National Industrial Court in Owerri has issued an extended interim injunction restraining the organised labour from embarking on strike in Imo State.
Both the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) were also ordered not to embark on “Occupy Imo” as planned until the next adjourned date.
The court warned against the disobedience of its order, saying that it would attract consequences.
Justice N. C. S. Ogbuanya gave the orders after hearing the submissions of the attorney-general of Imo State, Barr C. O. C. Akaolisa, who prayed the court to grant an extended interim order against the defendants given their fresh threat to embark on strike through “Occupy Imo”.
The defendants are the NLC, its secretary-general, Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja, the TUC and its secretary-general, Comrade Nuhu Toro.
In the suit No NICN/ OW/41/2023, in which the attorney-general and the state government are claimants/applicants, they prayed that since there is a subsisting order restraining the defendants from going on strike, the order should be extended.
Their argument was hinged on an affidavit by which the first defendant (NLC) by a letter dated 16th October, 2023 is currently mobilising its members from the South East and South South for a strike to occupy Imo from November 01,2023.
After hearing from both counsel in the suit, the court granted the prayers.
The court adjourned the matter to November 3, 2023 for either hearing or report of settlement.
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