Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice of Nigeria, has appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to reconsider their decision to stage a nationwide protest slated for February 27 and 28, citing a subsisting court order and significant progress in addressing labour grievances.
In a letter addressed to Femi Falana, the counsel for the NLC, Fagbemi highlighted a joint press release issued by the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on February 8, 2024, which outlined grievances related to the non-implementation of agreements reached with the federal government and the economic challenges facing the nation.
Expressing concern over the planned protest, Fagbemi emphasized the existence of a court injunction dated June 5, 2023, which restrains both the NLC and TUC from engaging in any form of industrial action. He underscored the legal ramifications of defying the court order, deeming it a contemptuous act.
Furthermore, the Attorney-General asserted that the government has made substantial efforts to address the demands outlined by the labour union, as evidenced by the implementation of items detailed in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the NLC.
Fagbemi urged the NLC to refrain from unilateral actions that could disrupt public service and safety, emphasizing the importance of continued engagement with the government to resolve outstanding issues collaboratively.
In closing, the Attorney-General appealed to the NLC to prioritize dialogue over protests, emphasizing the need to uphold the rule of law and foster constructive dialogue to address the nation’s socio-economic challenges.
