Legal Counsel Of ASUU, Femi Falana Gives Greenlight On The Lingering Strike Action
A Senior Advocate of Nigerian (SAN), Femi Falana has expressed optimism that the lingering strike action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) will be called off in days and not weeks.
Falana who is the legal counsel of ASUU stated this during an interview with Channels TV on Monday, October 10. Recall that last week, the Court of Appeal ordered the striking lecturers to return back to their classrooms before their appeal can be heard.
Falana said he will advise his clients accordingly once the certified true copy of the court order has been made available to him.
“The legal advice that I will give to my clients is confidential. But I can assure you that the strike will soon be called off. Advising clients to call off a strike is the most difficult aspect of my practice.
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On one occasion, Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN) and I spent six hours persuading Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and other NLC (Nigeria Labour Congress) to call off a strike in compliance with a court order. Our advice to ASUU will be based on the court order and other relevant reports.
I am reasonably confident that the consultations between the House and the Presidency will yield positive results in the interest of the striking lecturers and the students.”
University lecturers in public universities have been on strike since February 14, 2022, over poor welfare and unpaid earned academic allowances. After several failed attempts to resolve the issues, the Federal government took ASUU to the National Industrial Court where they secured an injunction ordering the striking lecturers back to work.
ASUU approached the court of appeal Abuja but their appeal was thrown out last week Friday, October 7.