Following the ongoing strike by the organised labour over the brutalisation of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero, the trial of former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, on criminal charges of economic sabotage, abuse of public office and breach of trust was on Wednesday aborted at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The opening of the trial was forced to be put off by the ongoing strike action of the Nigeria Labour Congress NLC.
It was gathered that all the entrance gates were under lock and key by officials of the NLC monitoring and enforcing the strike action, and all lawyers and litigants were turned back at the main entrance gate by the Labour team.
A Registrar of the court, who craved anonymity, confirmed that Justice Hamza Muazu would not sit today because of the effect of the workers’ strike.
Also, one of the lawyers in Emefiele’s defence team, Maxwell Opara, told the newsmen that the former CBN Governor had been told to stay home since the courtroom could not be accessed, adding that a new date would be obtained as soon as the NLC calls off the strike action.
“We have just told Emefiele to stay back at home since the courtroom could not be accessed by us and counsel to the Federal Government.
“This is not our making but the circumstances beyond our immediate control. As it is now, we will have to go back home and come for a fresh date once the striking workers terminate the strike action”, the lawyer said.
The office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice had announced last week that Emefiele would be put on trial on November 15 despite the bail granted him by Justice Olukayode Adegbola Adeniyi of the FCT High Court.
Counsel to the Federal Government and AGF, Oyin Koleoso, billed to conduct the trial, could not be reached as he was said to have been turned back at the Court gate by the striking workers.
The Informant247 had reported that in a further measure to protest the brutality of Joe Ajaero, the President of Nigeria Labour Congress by the operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, the organised Labour comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress on Tuesday, ordered a shutdown of electricity and fuel supplies in Imo State, while also directing aviation workers to ensure that flights into and outside the state are suspended.
This is according to one of the decisions taken at the extraordinary National Executive Council meeting summoned by the TUC and NUC on Tuesday afternoon.
“The NEC-in-session orders the immediate withdrawal of services and shutdown of Imo State beginning midnight today. All workers and affiliates are expected to ensure compliance from wherever they are. All flights into and out of Imo state, fuel supplies and Electricity be stopped immediately as applicable. All Public and Private Sector workers are to immediately down tools indefinitely,” a communique released at the end of the meeting noted.
The Informant247 had on November 7, reported that in a solidarity move to protest the brutality of Joe Ajaero, the President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the organised labour comprising of the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress on Tuesday, declared a nationwide strike effective Tuesday, November 14, 2023.
It was learned that the leadership of the two unions resolved after an extraordinary National Executive Council meeting in Abuja, as confirmed by an official who told the newsmen under the condition of anonymity because he was not permitted to disclose details ahead of a scheduled press release by the labour centres.
The Informant247 had earlier reported that the leadership of the labour unions had summoned an extraordinary National Executive Council meeting.
The National Vice-President of the TUC, Tommy Etim, while making this known on Tuesday in an interview with newsmen, said the meeting aims to review the modalities of the planned strike following the brutalisation of the National President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, review the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Federal Government and the Organized Labour on October 2, 2023, following the removal of the subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit which the Labour centres said has caused “untold hardship” to Nigerians.
He stated, “We will be holding an extraordinary NEC meeting any moment from now. The modalities include the injustice meted upon comrade Ajaero, the planned strike and the MOU signed with the Federal Government. More details will be revealed after the meeting.”
The Informant247 reports that the organised labour, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress, on Friday, issued a five-day ultimatum over the earlier arrest of the National President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, by the police in Owerri, Imo State, on Wednesday, the strike centred on the demand of the labour unions for the redeployment of the commissioner of police in the state and the arrest and prosecution of the aide of the government who was alleged to have perpetrated the attack.
The unions also threatened to embark on a nationwide industrial action if their demands were not met in five days from Friday.
Ajaero was arrested by the police ahead of the state-wide protest in Imo on Wednesday. This was disclosed by the NLC’s Head of Information, Benson Upah.
Although the police denied arresting Ajaero, stating that he was merely taken into protective custody to prevent a mob attack, the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, accused the labour leader of meddling in the political affairs of the state.
The attack on the labour leader has been condemned by many prominent Nigerians and civil society organisations, including the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, and human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana (SAN).