NASU urges court to stop registration of parallel union

The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions has prayed the National Industrial Court to stop the registration of a parallel union by the Registrar of Trade Unions.
NASU had sued the Minister of Labour and Productivity, the Registrar of Trade Unions and the Attorney-General of the Federation via an ex-parte motion on June 12.
The union alleged that the first defendant was likely to give approval for the registration of a new trade union by the name: Non-Teaching Staff Union of Polytechnics.
NASU also alleged that the parallel union was formed by its members, led by Shaba Nakorji, who was removed from office as a branch chairman of the union.
The claimant explained that the said Nakorji and others were suspended in October 2011 for alleged shortage in the remittance of dues paid by members in Federal Polytechnic, Bida branch, between 2007 and 2011, to the union.
When the matter came up for mention on June 17, NASU’s counsel, Benjamin Ogunleye, urged the court to stop the registration.
Oguleye told the court that the group’s earlier application for the registration was rejected by the second defendant in January.
He explained that the factional group had forwarded an appeal to the Minister of Labour and Productivity in April for registration of the parallel union, which NASU feared could be granted.
The claimant is praying the court to make an order of interim injunction, restraining the first defendant from giving approval for the registration of the union.
NASU is also praying the court to restrain the second defendant from registering NOTSUP and suspend all proceedings and processes relating to the approval and registration of same by the defendants.
NAN also recalls that the court had earlier granted the motion and ordered that the status quo should be maintained by the parties, pending the hearing and determination of the suit.
When the matter came up for definite hearing on Wednesday, counsel to the first defendant, Nnamdi Iboma, told the court that the processes were not served on him on time.
Iboma, however, urged the court to adjourn the matter to enable him file his processes.
The presiding judge, Justice Maureen Esowe, adjourned the case to July 10 for hearing and enjoined the parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the suit.