Nigeria files suit against labour unions over protest

The Nigerian Government has taken legal action against the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress for defying a court order and proceeding with an industrial action. The government filed a contempt lawsuit on Wednesday after the labour unions decided to protest despite a restraining order. In response, the Labour unions put the nationwide protest on hold to allow for further dialogue with the government. Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, a Partner at Citipoint, discussed the legal aspects surrounding the dispute on CNBC Africa. The dispute between the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress, and the industrial court revolves around the jurisdiction of the court to halt the planned strike. While the TUC and the labour unions argue that the industrial court overstepped its bounds, the court cites the NIC Act of 2016 to justify its authority. Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika shed light on the situation, emphasizing the distinction between a strike and a protest. He clarified that the labour unions intended to demonstrate against government policies impacting the cost of living, not to call for a work stoppage. Olumide-Fusika underscored the importance of upholding the democratic right to peaceful protest and criticized the government's efforts to curtail such actions through court injunctions. The partner at Citipoint cautioned against restricting citizens' rights to express displeasure with government policies. Olumide-Fusika highlighted the historical significance of the right to strike for workers globally and warned against suppressing this fundamental avenue for dissent. He raised concerns about the government's approach to obtaining court orders to prevent strikes, suggesting that such tactics could lead to alternative forms of protest. By constraining legitimate means of expressing grievances, the government risks escalating tensions and provoking more drastic responses from the public. The interview on CNBC Africa delved into the legal framework surrounding the government's actions and the labour unions' response. Despite the industrial court's assertion of legal authority to issue an injunction against the strike, Olumide-Fusika challenged the basis for such intervention. He questioned the consistency of targeting labour unions while neglecting other economic actors, such as transporters and market vendors, whose actions also influence the cost of living. By emphasizing the right to protest peacefully as a cornerstone of democracy, Olumide-Fusika urged the government to reconsider its use of legal measures to stifle dissent. In conclusion, the discussion on CNBC Africa underscored the precarious balance between upholding the rule of law and preserving democratic freedoms. As Nigeria grapples with tensions between the government and labour unions, the broader implications for civil liberties and social stability come to the fore. The legal battle over the right to protest versus government injunctions reflects deeper societal divides and raises important questions about governance, accountability, and the protection of fundamental rights.