Connect with us

News

Industrial Court of Nigeria nullifies Obaseki’s suspension of union activities in universities

Published

on

283 Views

The National Industrial Court of Nigeria sitting in Benin City, Edo State capital, has declared that the June 8, 2022 directive of the state government suspending trade unions’ activities in tertiary institutions in the state as unconstitutional, illegal, null and void.

Recall that the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Ambrose Alli University chapter, had approached the NICN through its lawyer, Kingsley Obamogie, in a suit No: NICN/BEN/40/2022, to challenge the directive of Governor Godwin Obaseki suspending all unions in the state’s tertiary institutions.

The suit had the ASUU chairman, AAU chapter, Dr Cyril Onogbosele, and Assistant Secretary, Dr William Odion, as claimants; while Obaseki, the state Attorney General, and the Edo State government, were the defendants.

The ASUU, AAU chapter, also wanted the court to declare that “the order or directive of the defendants for the suspension of trade union activities at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma as unconstitutional, illegal, null and void and same is ultra vires the powers of the defendants.

“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, Academic Staff Union of Universities to engage in trade union activities at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.

“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.

“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.”

Delivering judgment, Justice A. A. Adewemimo ruled that the state government was wrong to have suspended trade union activities in the AAU and other tertiary institutions in the state.

Onogbosele, while reacting to the ruling on Sunday,  hailed the judgment, saying, “The court judgment is a victory for constitutionalism, the rule of law, and due process.”

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

IGP Disu Wears New DIGs Insignia

Disu, during the ceremony today urged the new Deputy Inspectors-General of Police to uphold discipline, integrity and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

Published

on

By

21 Views

• IGP Tunji Disu

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu has decorated the newly promoted senior officers at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja .

Disu, during the ceremony today urged the new Deputy Inspectors-General of Police to uphold discipline, integrity and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

He said the elevation to the rank of Deputy Inspector-General of Police was not merely the wearing of new insignia but a recognition of years of dedicated service and a call to greater responsibility in the leadership of the force.

Disu emphasised that the rank represents one of the highest levels of professional trust within the police and demands wisdom, courage and a strong commitment to justice and service.

Continue Reading

News

BREAKING: Court of Appeal Upholds Federal High Court Ruling Halting PDP’s Ibadan National Convention

Published

on

30 Views

In a major ruling that deepens the ongoing leadership crisis in Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Court of Appeal in Abuja has affirmed the decision of the Federal High Court restraining the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from proceeding with its controversial National Convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15-16, 2025.

A three-member panel of the appellate court, led by Justice Mohammed Danjuma, delivered a unanimous judgment on Monday dismissing the appeal filed by the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the PDP.

The court upheld the October 31, 2025, ruling by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, which barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing, validating, or accepting the outcome of the Ibadan convention.

The Appeal Court held that the PDP’s decision to proceed with the convention violated key provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, the Electoral Act, INEC’s guidelines on party primaries and conventions, and the PDP’s own Constitution.

It emphasized that the Federal High Court’s intervention was justified to prevent illegality and to protect the rights of excluded delegates from over 14 states where congresses had not yet been conducted.

The panel further criticized INEC for failing to adequately monitor the party’s processes as required by law. In a related aspect of the judgment, a fine of ₦2 million was imposed on the Turaki-led faction.

Rejecting arguments from the appellants that the matter was purely an intra-party affair outside judicial jurisdiction, the Court of Appeal ruled that violations of constitutional provisions, the Electoral Act, or a political party’s constitution confer jurisdiction on the courts.

This decision marks the first in a series of nine consolidated appeals stemming from the PDP’s protracted internal crisis, which pits the Turaki faction against a rival caretaker leadership aligned with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and headed by Abdulrahman Mohammed.

The appeals challenge multiple Federal High Court rulings that halted the Ibadan convention and recognized the caretaker committee.

The ruling represents a significant victory for the Wike-aligned faction and could have far-reaching implications for the PDP’s leadership structure, upcoming elections, and INEC’s recognition of the party’s national officers.

Further judgments in the remaining appeals are expected later today or in the coming days as the Court of Appeal continues its sittings on the consolidated cases.

The PDP has yet to issue an official reaction, though sources indicate the Turaki faction may pursue further appeals to the Supreme Court.

Continue Reading

News

IWD: My greatest investments are my three daughters – Otedola

Tolani is a singer, Florence a renowned disc jockey and Temi is an actress and fashion blogger.

Published

on

By

39 Views

“My greatest investments are my three daughters who make me proud every day. Happy International Women’s Day my angels,” wrote the billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola.

His three daughters are Tolani, Florence (DJ Cuppy) and Temi.

The Chairman of First Holdco Plc stated this in an X post on Sunday to commemorate International Women’s Day.

The billionaire’s daughters are high flyers in various areas of personal endeavour. Tolani is a singer, Florence a renowned disc jockey and Temi is an actress and fashion blogger.

Continue Reading

Trending