Doctors’ strike: NARD set for Appeal Court over ‘return to work’ order
Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) is readying itself for Appeal Court after the National Industrial Court in Abuja ordered the union to call off their industrial action which began on August 2 and resume work immediately
This decision was made known by the Counsel to the Doctors Chief Robinson Ariyo.
Justice B.A. Alkali ruled on Friday that the federal government was able to convince the court that unless its application for interlocutory injunction is granted, so many Nigerians will lose their lives especially with the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It is my firm belief that if the court does not intervene, many Nigerians will lose their lives.
“In view of the fact, I found the application meritorious, I grant the application.
“Members of the Defendant are hereby restrained from embarking on Industrial action.
“I hereby order NARD to resume work and enter negotiation with FG,” he said.
FG had argued that unless it grant its application, NARD will continue to wreck havoc on the country.
Having refused to adjourn the matter or hear the preliminary objection by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) earlier, the National Industrial Court on Friday ordered hearing of the federal government’s application which sought for an order to compel the doctors to call off their industrial action.
Lawyer for the Federal Ministry of Health and the federal government, Tochukwu Maduka, SAN, had mentioned before Justice B.A. Alkali that he had a pending motion on notice dated August 18 which wants “an order of interlocutory injunction to compel the defendant(NARD) across the Federation to suspend the industrial action.”
He argued that doctors who provide essential services cannot go on industrial action.
He urged the court to grant his application.
However, NARD’s lawyer, Ariyo had objected, saying he had filed a counter affidavit on August 31, opposing the said application.
He said it will be unfair to force doctors who treat hundreds of Nigerians, back to work without proper settlement of the issues they raised.
He urged the court to refuse FG’s application and compel them to negotiate with NARD.
Having made the order, the judge returned the substantive suit to the court President for reaasignment.
