The National Industrial Court sitting in Owerri has issued a fresh interim injunction restraining organised labour from embarking on any kind of strike in Imo State until further notice.
The order was issued on Friday, October 3, by Justice Nelson Ogbuanya after hearing submissions from counsels to both parties.
The defendants in the suit are the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), its Secretary-General, Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja, the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and its Secretary General, Comrade Nuhu Toro.
The claimants are the Attorney General of Imo State and the Imo State Government.
In its ruling, the court held that it is its duty to ensure that labour disputes and related disagreements between parties are not allowed to escalate and adversely affect the interests and well-being of the citizenry and third parties who are not involved in the labour dispute.
The court also said that since the matter was already submitted for adjudication in the pending suit before the court, it was necessary for the parties to hold the peace until the next adjourned date.
The court warned parties to be mindful of the consequences of disobeying the extant court order in the pending suit before the court.
The matter has been adjourned to November 30 for ruling on the interlocutory injunction filed by the claimants.