Human rights activist and constitutional lawyer, Femi Falana, has clarified that there was nothing contemptuous in the planned February 27 and 28 nationwide public protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).
Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), insisted that Nigerian workers have freedom of assembly and freedom of expression as guaranteed by the country’s Constitution.
In a strongly worded letter to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Falana asked the federal government to direct the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to provide maximum security to the workers and to also participate in the public protest.
In the letter responding to the contempt threat against the NLC and TUC leaders by the AGF, the counsel to the workers faulted the threat and dismissed it for having no basis.
Falana’s letter dated February 24 read in part: “It would be recalled that following the removal of fuel subsidy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on May 29, 2023, the Federal Government commenced negotiations with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) as the subsidy removal policy had brought untold hardship to Nigerians.
“While the negotiations were in progress, the Federal Ministry of Justice rushed to the National Industrial Court to file Suit No NICN/ABJ/158/2023 between the Federal Government of Nigeria & Anor. v Nigeria Labour Congress & Anor in respect of the same issues.
“On June 5, 2023, the Honourable Justice Yemi Anuwe granted the application of the Federal Government for an ex parte order to restrain the NLC and TUC from embarking on a strike against the removal of fuel subsidy.
“Although both the NLC and TUC complied with the ex parte order, they promptly filed an application to set aside the same for lack of jurisdiction.”
