Strike continues – NARD reacts to court order

The National Association of Resident Doctors has said that it will continue its strike despite a court order, asking the group to suspend its strike pending judgement on a lawsuit filed by the federal government through the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Justice John Targema of the National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja who issued the ruling on Monday August 23, had said;

“Having looked especially at the affidavit of extreme urgency, the grounds of the application, the affidavit in support of the same and arguments of counsel for the applicant, I also weighed the submissions and arguments of counsel on the law as it stands on this application, it is hereby ordered that the claimant/applicant and the defendant/respondent suspend all forms of hostilities forthwith pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

“This matter is accordingly adjourned to September 15, 2021 for hearing of the motion on notice and/or any other pending application.

“The hearing notice and the originating processes be issued and served on the defendant/respondent. Proof of service of the same should be filed in the case file before the adjourned date.”

However the association’s National President, Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi in an interview with Punch after the court order, said the association had not received any order and would therefore not suspend the industrial action.

Okhuaihesuyi said;

“We have not received any order; we only saw the news on social media. We will not be resuming work.”