The National Industrial Court in Abuja has fixed Friday for ruling in a suit between the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), who are on strike, and the Federal Government after they agreed to negotiate.
Justice Bashar Alkali fixed the date after listening to the parties’ counsel make their submissions which bordered on court jurisdiction and contempt proceeding.
The judge in addition said that before the next adjourned date parties should return to the negotiation table.
The defendant’s counsel Femi Falana assured the court that his client was ready to cease hostility and return to the negotiation table.
The claimants – ministry of health and the Federal Government through the ministry of labour – had earlier approached the court through an ex-parte motion praying for an order of interlocutory injunction restraining members of the respondent in all states of the federation from further continuing with the industrial action embarked on August 2.
Another order as sought by the applicants was for an order of interlocutory injunction compelling all members of the respondent in all states of the federation to suspend the industrial action it commenced on August 2.
The court on August 23 granted an order directing parties to cease all forms of hostilities and adjourned until Wednesday to take motion on notice.
