The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has told the Federal Government that there is no court order in any form, either from the National Industrial Court or any other court, restraining Nigerian workers from participating in peaceful rallies convened by it.
Reminding the Federal Government, through the Solicitor-General, the Labour Union also stated that there is a subsisting judgment that the right to demonstrate and protest on matters of public concern was in the public interest, which individuals must possess and exercise without impediment as long as no wrongful act was done.
The NLC stated these via a letter from Falana Chambers to the Permanent Secretary/Solicitor-General, with the title “Re-NLC in contempt of court,” signed by Sam Ogala Esq.
The letter is coming in the wake of organized labor’s proposed protest for Wednesday, August 2, over the removal of subsidies on petrol, which has resulted in untold hardship on Nigerians and the inability of the government to roll out palliatives to cushion the harsh effect of the stoppage of subsidy payments.
The letter read: “In your reaction to the decision of Nigerian workers to participate in peaceful rallies to protest the worsening economic crisis in the country, you were reported to have accused the leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress of treating the order of the National Industrial Court with contempt.
“Contrary to your unwarranted allegation, the Nigeria Labour Congress does not intend to disobey the ex parte order of the National Industrial Court to the effect that the defendants and respondents are hereby restrained from embarking on the planned industrial action or strike of any nature, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice, dated June 5, 2023.’
“You will agree with us that the National Industrial Court or any other court has not granted an order of interim, interlocutory, or perpetual injunction restraining Nigerian workers from participating in peaceful rallies convened by the Nigeria Labour Congress.
“Since the constitutional right of Nigerian workers to protest peacefully cannot by any stretch of imagination be classified as an industrial action or strike of any nature, you ought not to have threatened our client with contempt of court.
“It is pertinent to draw your attention to the case of Inspector-General of Police v. All Nigeria Peoples Party (2008) 12 WRN 65, where the court upheld the fundamental right of Nigerians to protest without police permit. In the leading judgment of the court, Justice Adekeye said as follows:
“The right to demonstrate and the right to protest on matters of public concern are rights that are in the public interest and that individuals must possess and exercise without impediment as long as no wrongful act is done.
If, as speculated by law enforcement agents, breach of the peace would occur, our criminal code has made adequate provisions for sanctions against breakdown of law and order so that the requirement of a permit as a conditionality to holding meetings and rallies can no longer be justified in a democratic society.
“Finally, freedom of speech and freedom of assembly are part of the democratic rights of every citizen of the republic; our legislature must guard these rights jealously as they are part of the foundation upon which the government itself rests.
“Having advised the Nigeria Labour Congress and its allies to conduct the rallies peacefully, you may wish to advise the Nigeria Police Force to comply with Section 83(4) of the Police Establishment Act 2020, which states that ‘where a person or organization notifies the police of his or its intention to hold a public meeting, rally, or procession on a public highway or such meetings in a place where the public has access to, the police officer responsible for the area where the meeting, rally, or procession will take place shall mobilize personnel to provide security cover for the meeting, rally, or procession.”
