NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL COURT OF NIGERIA ON LAGOS GOVT, RTEAN FACE-OFF
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
Justice Maureen Esowe, has set 18th April, 2023, to deliver judgement in the ongoing case between the Lagos State government and the Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria.
She mentioned this, after the court adopted all arguments and processes canvassed by counsels representing the State and the Association on Tuesday before the National Industrial Court of Nigeria sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos State.
During the hearing, the court heard the various submissions, objections and responses of the parties.
The counsel to the 5th-37th defendants, Taiwo Kupolati (SAN), while speaking, prayed the court to strike out the originating summons that was tendered by RTEAN, to challenge the powers of Lagos State government in maintaining peace in the state.
Kupolati asked the court to hold that the state government has no power to dissolve the association or set up an enquiry into the operations of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, adding that the response they had was that the originating summons ought not to have been brought in a manner it was brought before the court because, according to him while filing an originating summon, “You are asking the court to interprete a document or an aspect of the provision of a law of the constitution on a basis that the defendant has done a particular act”.
“There is no evidence before the court that the Lagos State Government has dissolved the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, the state has not established any inquiry.”
“The Governor of Lagos State is entitled to make his own judgement. The Governor has made a good decision whether he has chosen those among of this union, the important thing is that all of them have been able to collaborate and advance the objectives of peace.” He said.
However, counsel to RTEAN, Elisha Kurah, (SAN) objected on support that there is conflict while submitting that the defense does not have a counter affidavit.
He stressed that under the guise of security, Lagos state government, dissolved the elected executive committee and appointed a caretaker committee to take over and manage the operations of the association.
The counsel, told the court that the state government also, suspended the association’s operations and took over the garages owned by the members of the union which is the reason why the parties are in court.
“Union matters are with the exclusive legislative list and they are under the federal Ministry of Labour and Employment. The state government cannot interfere in union matters” he mentioned.
Reacting to this, counsel to the first, second and third defendants, Adebayo Haroun argued that the letter addressed to the fifth defendant, Sulaimon Raji, to head the parks administration ADHOC committee and manage the operations of commercial road workers’ activities within garages and motor parks, did not indicate the transport Employers’ Association activities.
Having listened to the arguments and processes from both parties, Justice Maureen Esowe, further adjourned the case till 18th of April, 2023 for judgement.
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