The Nigerian federal government has accused the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of “not showing good cause” in the pursuit of the industrial dispute case before the National Industrial Court.
The allegation came up during the resumed court session on Tuesday when the counsel to ASUU, Marshall Abubakar, said he had filed an application seeking an extension of time and for the matter to be referred to alternative dispute resolution (ADR).
However, the counsel to the ministers of labour and employment, and education, James Igwe, accused the respondents of stalling the case, stating that they had not shown good cause as stated by order 57, rule 4 (2) of the NICN rule.
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The federal government had in August 2022 filed a suit to challenge the ASUU strike and also sought the court’s decision on the interpretation and application of the Trade Dispute Act (TDA) as it relates to industrial actions.
The court directed ASUU to suspend the strike and resume work pending the determination of the suit. The case has been adjourned to May 11, for a hearing. ASUU had embarked on the strike in 2022 to protest the non-implementation of its demands by the federal government, which lasted for eight months.
