Peeved by the recent decision of the Edo State Government to ban union activities at all state-owned tertiary institutions, members of Ambrose Alli University, (AAU), Ekpoma Edo State branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have dragged the state’s government to the National Industrial Court, Benin.
The state government had on June 8 announced a ban on the different unions in all state-owned institutions of higher learning throughout the state following a march on Government House, Benin by students over the continued strike by lecturers.
The Secretary to the State Government, Mr Osarodion Ogie who announced the suspension listed the affected unions as ASUU, Non-Academic Staff of Universities (NASU), Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU), Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Non-Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics and all allied unions in all state-owned tertiary institutions.
However, in suit No. NICE/BEN/40/2022 by counsel to the plaintiffs, Mr. Kingsley Obamogie and dated June 14, the striking lecturers are seeking a declaration that the order or directive of the defendants for the suspension of trade union activities at AAU is unconstitutional, illegal, null and void and same is ultra vires of the power of the defendants.
Besides, the chairman and the secretary, in their originating summons which include the chairman of the local chapter, Dr. Cyril Onogbosele and the secretary, Dr Williams Odion also want a declaration from the court that the defendants have no power whatsoever to interfere or intermeddle with the claimants to exercise of their rights as a member of a registered trade union, ASUU to engage in trade union at the school.
The lecturers who are part of a nationwide ongoing strike since February want an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants or their servants, employees and/or agents from interfering or intermeddling in the claimants’ exercise of their fundamental rights to engage in trade union activities at the state-owned tertiary institution.
Onogbosele and Odion are also demanding an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their servants and/or privies from taking any form of disciplinary action against claimants on account of their trade union activities at AAU.
No date has been fixed for the hearing.
