The National Industrial Court in Abuja on Monday ordered the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to suspend its nationwide strike which began on August 1.
Justice John Targema gave the ruling on an ex parte application filed by the Federal Government.
The doctors’ negotiation with the Federal Government over irregular payment of salaries among other issues had ended in a stalemate before the government took the case to court.
The judge asked 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.
He said: “Having looked especially on the affidavit of extreme urgency, the grounds of the application, the affidavit 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.
“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.”
The judge further ordered that a hearing notice be issued and other processes be served on the defendant, including the originating summons. He also added that the proof of service should be kept in the case file before the next adjourned date.
The case was adjourned to September 15.
