The National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja, on Monday, ordered the Federal Government and the striking members of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to suspend all forms of hostilities.
The judge, John Targema gave the order while ruling in an exparte application filed by the Federal Government for the court to order the striking resident doctors to return to work and instead ordered the two parties locked in the industrial dispute –members of NARD and the federal government to suspend all forms of hostilities.
The Federal Government, in its application, specifically sought an order of interlocutory injunction compelling the resident doctors across the country to suspend the industrial action they started on August 2, 2021.
The doctors’ strike, which started three weeks ago grounded activities in government-owned hospitals across the country.
The Judge said, “Having looked at the affidavit of extreme urgency, the grounds of the application, the affidavit in support of same and arguments of counsel for the applicant, I also weighed the submissions and arguments of counsel on the law as it stands on this application.
”It is hereby ordered that claimant/applicant and the defendant/respondent suspend all forms of hostilities forthwith pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice,” Justice Targema added.
He also ordered that a hearing notice be issued to the defendant, along with other court processes in the matter and that the proof of service be kept in the case file before the next adjourned date.
The matter was then adjourned till September 15, 2021, for hearing of the motion on notice “and/or any other pending application on its merit.”
Culled from the Tribune News Nigeria
