BREAKING: Court Orders Nigerian Resident Doctors To Suspend Their 3-Week Strike
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has been ordered to call off its statewide strike by the National Industrial Court, Abuja division.
On August 1, doctors went on strike to protest inadequate allowances and irregular salary payments, among other issues.
Justice John Targema, however, urged all parties in the dispute to cease all hostilities and revert to the status quo pending the hearing and conclusion of the move on notice in his ruling on Monday.
He said: “Having looked especially on 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.”
The judge ordered that the defendant be served with a hearing notice and other documents, including the originating summons.
Targema set the date for a hearing on the move on notice and/or any other outstanding application on its merits for September 15.
After attempts to negotiate an agreement failed, the Nigerian government started legal action against NARD.
It requested an injunction from the Industrial Court to prevent the doctors from continuing their strike.
