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The counsels to the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Thursday, told the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, that both parties could not resolve the eight months old strike, despite the advise given by the appellate court to reach out-of-court settlement.
Counsel to FG, James Igwe, and lead counsel for ASUU, Femi Falana (SAN), told the court that despite the admonition, they could not resolve the dispute.
Falana said they had begun consultations which would continue at the end of the day’s proceedings. He suggested that ASUU’s application challenging the ruling of the National Industrial Court be heard by the three-man panel of the appellate court.
Both parties agreed that the court should hear the application, as there was no amicable resolution reached as advised by the court.
The presiding judge, Justice Hamma Barka, stepped down the matter for an hour to enable Falana file a reply to the counter affidavit deposed to by FG in opposing the hearing of the appeal.
ASUU heads to court over CONUA, NAMDA registration
Meanwhile, ASUU has expressed its readiness to sue the Federal Government over the registration of the Congress of Nigerian Universities Academics (CONUA) and the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA).
Falana (SAN), disclosed this while speaking on Channels Television, on Thursday.
“ASUU is going to court. It is going to be the National Industrial Court(NIC),” Falana said.
Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, had on Tuesday presented certificates of registration to CONUA and NAMDA.
Speaking during the presentation of certificates of registration to the two unions, Ngige explained that the two bodies will exist alongside ASUU.
ASUU had been on strike since February 14, 2022, as lecturers in public universities are demanding better welfare package and replacement of IPPIS with UTAS, among others from the government.