BY VICTOR BUORO, ABUJA – The National Industrial Court (NIC), Abuja Division on Monday ordered the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to suspend its ongoing strike nationwide.
Justice John Targema, who gave the order while ruling on an ex parte application filed by the Federal Government, equally ordered all parties in the suit to suspend all forms of hostilities and maintain status quo, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
In the ruling, Justice Targema declared; “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”.
The trial judge in the order paper signed by a Registrar in the court, Diana Eko directed the striking medical doctors to resume work immediately.
In the meantime, the national leadership of resident doctors say they have not received any court judgement.
A copy of the order was sighted by Channels Television on Monday.
Justice Targema ruled that he gave the order for the doctors to suspend the industrial action after considering the grounds of the application, especially the affidavit of extreme urgency, as well as the affidavit in support of same and arguments of counsel for the applicant.
The trial judge said that he equally weighed the submissions and arguments of counsel on the law as it stands on the application before giving the order.
He thereafter, adjourned the case till September 15, 2021 for the hearing of the motion on notice and/or any other pending application on its merit.
Justice Targema also ruled that a hearing notice be issued, and other processes be served on the defendant, including the originating summons, adding that the proof of service should be kept in the case file before the next adjourned date.
