The National Industrial Court (NIC), Abuja Division has instructed the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to shelve its ongoing nationwide strike, the Federal Government has said. An NIC judge, Justice John Targema, while ruling on an ex parte application filed by the Federal Government on Monday asked all parties in the suit to maintain status quo pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice. As a result of the ruling, the government believes the doctors have been directed to resume work immediately, but the national leadership of the association says they have yet to receive any court order.
“Having looked especially on the affidavit of extreme urgency, the grounds of the application, the affidavit is in support of 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,” judge Targema was quoted as saying in the order paper signed by a registrar at the court, Diana Agbenu Eko.
“It is hereby ordered that claimant/applicant and the defendant/respondent suspend all forms of hostilities forthwith pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”
Justice Targema adjourned the substantive suit to September 15 and ruled that hearing notice should be issued and served on the defendant.
