Yesterday, the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal urged the Federal Government and striking Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, members to pursue an out-of-court settlement of their disagreement.
As a result, the appeal court, in accordance with a majority rule by a three-judge panel, postponed the hearing on the Appeal ASUU placed before it for a further 24 hours.
It was said that a decision had been made to allow the opposing parties to reflect and re-approach the negotiating table in an effort to address any difficult issues peacefully.
Justice Georgewill Biobele Abraham advised FG’s attorney, Mr. James Igwe, SAN, and ASUU’s attorney, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, to take a patriotic stand and convey the court’s position to their respective clients.
Everything has its season. There are times for both battle and peace. As ministers of the temple of justice, we would like to see you as senior attorneys promoting and investigating a peaceful settlement to this matter.
“In fact, we anticipate returning to this court on Thursday (today) with the wonderful news that the problem has been handled, and the entire Nigerian population would be grateful to you.”
Therefore, discuss the national interest with your clientele for the sake of our children. “Before you leave, go sit down and discuss it,” continued Justice Abraham.
In response, the FG’s attorney, Igwe, thanked the panel for the reprimand and promised to further investigate the situation with ASUU’s attorney.
Falana, SAN, on the other hand, indicated that his clients were always receptive to dialogue and that he had implemented a similar strategy in the past.
Falana, on the other hand, emphasized that a fair resolution of the dispute would need concessions from all sides.
Today, the panel, presided over by Justice Barka Hamma Akawu, will hear ASUU’s request to delay the implementation of the National Industrial Court’s (NIC) judgment to end the union’s ongoing strike.
Igwe, the attorney for FG, asserted that he was not served a copy of the September 28 motion.
In the national interest and for the welfare of the country’s undergraduates, the NIC demanded on September 21 that ASUU cease its seven-month-long strike.
It ordered the striking university professors to return to the classroom pending the outcome of FG’s lawsuit challenging the legality of their strike.
However, ASUU has since filed a 14-ground appeal to reverse the verdict and a stay of execution request.