the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), Benin City Division delivered judgement on the Union’s lawsuit on ASUU and Ekpoma Friday, 5th May, 2023.
challenging the legality of the suspension of Trade Unions’ activities in tertiary institutions (including AAU, Ekpoma) in Edo State by Edo State Government in June 2022.
The Court declared, inter alia, that the suspension of the Union’s activities was unconstitutional, illegal, null and void. All the reliefs sought by ASUU were granted by the Court.
For the avoidance of doubt, the following reliefs sought by the Union were granted:
1) A declaration that the order or directive of the Defendants for the suspension of trade union activities at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma is unconstitutional, illegal, null and void and same is ultra vires the powers of the Defendants.
2) A declaration that the Defendants have no power whatsoever to interfere or intermeddle with the Claimants’ exercise of their rights, as members of a registered trade union, to wit, Academic Staff Union of Universities to engage in trade union activities at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.
3) An order of perpetual injunction restraining the Defendants, their servants, employees and/or agents from interfering with or intermeddling in the Claimants’ exercise of their fundamental right to engage in trade union activities at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.
4) An order of perpetual injunction restraining the Defendants, their servants, agents and/or privies from taking any form of disciplinary action against the Claimants on account of their trade union activities at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.
Full details about the Court judgement will be disclosed in due course.Victory has embraced the struggle for justice. Solidarity forever!Dr. Cyril Oziegbe Onogbosele
Chairperson, ASUU, AAU, Ekpoma