The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), has adjourned the suit filed by the federal government challenging the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), till the 16th of September for further mention.
At Monday’s proceedings, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), sought to join the suit as an interested party, as its lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, said that his client had filed a similar suit asking the court to compel the federal government to honor its 2009 agreement with the striking varsity lecturers.
But the federal government’s lawyer, Tijjani Gazali, also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, opposed Adegboruwa’s application to consolidate the suits when he told the judge that SERAP’s application was “premature” as the case was billed for mention on Monday.
Reacting to Adegboruwa and Gazali’s arguments, Femi Falana, another SAN, who represents ASUU, said that he was aware of efforts by the lawyers to file court papers in the suit on Monday.
Addressing journalists shortly after Monday’s proceedings, Falana said the Nigerian government often adopts “dilatory tactics that have a way of prolonging strikes.”
