In a significant development, the Federal Government of Nigeria has withdrawn the contempt charge it had filed against the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), and their respective leaders. This decision comes just four days before the expiration of the ultimatum given by the NLC to the government to withdraw the contempt summons or face an indefinite nationwide strike.
The withdrawal of the contempt charge was conveyed through a letter from the Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Mrs B.E. Jeddy-Agba, addressed to Messrs Falana & Falana’ Chambers, the legal counsel representing the NLC.
The letter acknowledges the recent communiqué issued by the NLC on August 3, 2023, where the labor union announced the suspension of its nationwide protests and criticized the contempt summons issued by the National Industrial Court. The Ministry of Justice stated that it had engaged in exchanges with the NLC’s legal representatives regarding the need to comply with existing court orders restraining any form of industrial action. The Ministry emphasized that its intention was to uphold the integrity of the court and prevent disruption of public facilities.
The letter also refers to the events that transpired on August 2, 2023, when the NLC and TUC proceeded with their planned industrial action, including public protests that led to disruptions and the pulling down of the gate of the National Assembly. Consequently, the Ministry initiated contempt proceedings by filing Form 48, which is the initial step in such proceedings.
However, in light of the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and subsequent decisions by the labor unions to call off their industrial action after meetings with the President and National Assembly leadership, the Ministry decided not to proceed further with the contempt proceedings. As a result, the issuance of Form 49, which would have followed Form 48, did not take place.
The letter concludes by suggesting that the issues and concerns raised by the NLC in its communiqué have been overtaken by events, and it advises the labor unions to be informed about the practice and procedure of contempt proceedings.
This withdrawal of the contempt charge marks a significant turn of events in the ongoing dispute between the government and the labor unions, potentially averting the possibility of a nationwide strike.
