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Here Is What Falana Says About The NLC Planned August 2nd Strike
The Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana says that the Nigeria Labour Congress and its affiliates can proceed on the 2nd August 2023 strike and protest as planned, saying that the exercise does not translate to contempt of court. adsbygoogle || []).push({}); js">
This is contained in a letter from the Falana Falana Chambers, solicitors to the NLC, by Sam Ogala, titled “Re- NLC in contemt of Court” and addressed to the Permanent Secretary/ Solicitor-General, Federal Ministry of Justice on July 28.
According to the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, the decision of Nigerian workers to participate in peaceful rallies is for the interest of the masses and 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.
“And to the effect that “the defendants/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.”
Falana added that the National Industrial Court or any other Court had not granted an order of interim, interlocutory or perpetual injunction restraining Nigerian workers from participating in peaceful rallies convened by the NLC.
He argued that it was the constitutional right of Nigerian workers to protest peacefully and cannot by any stretch of imagination be classified as an industrial action or strike of any nature.
“It is pertinent to draw your attention to the case of Inspector- General of Polic vs Nigeria People Party (2008) of where the Court 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.
“This includes the right to demonstrate, and the right to protest on matters of public concern are rights which are in the public interest and that which individuals must possess, and which they should exercise without impediment as long as no wrongful act is done.
“If as speculated by law enforcement agents, that breach of the peace will occur, our criminal code has made adequate provisions for sanctions against breakdown of law and order.
“So that the requirement of permit as a conditionality to holding meetings and rallies can no longer be justified in a democratic society.”
He added that, finally, freedom of speech and freedom of assembly are part of democratic rights of every citizen of the country.
“Our legislature must guard these rights jealously as they are part of the foundation upon which the government itself rests.
“Having advised the NLC 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.
“Where a person or organisation 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 mobilise personnel to provide security to provide security cover for the meeting, rally or the procession,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the National Industrial Court in Abuja on June 5, restrained the NLC and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, from embarking on their planned strike to protest the unilateral removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.
The court, in a ruling that was delivered by Justice O. Y. Anuwe, barred the two organizations from proceeding with the strike action, pending the determination of a suit that was brought before it by FG.
NAN reports that the court held that the interim order, as well as the substantive suit, should be immediately served on both the NLC and the TUC, which were cited as defendants/respondents in the suit marked: NICN/ABJ/158/2023, even it fixed the matter for hearing on June 19.
The court order followed an ex-parte application that FG filed through the Federal Ministry of Justice.
FG’s lawyer, Mrs. Maimuna Lami Shiru, who moved the application, maintained that the proposed strike action was capable of disrupting economic activities, the health sector and the educational sector.
FG further tendered Exhibits FGN 1, 2 and 3, which were notices from the NLC, TUC and the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, to their members, asking them to withdraw their services with effect from Wednesday, June 7.
The court, in its ruling, held that it was empowered by section 7(b) of the NIC Act, 2006, with the exclusive jurisdiction in matters relating to the grant of any order to restrain any person or body from taking part in any strike, lockout or any industrial action.
It held that sections 16 and 19(a) of the NIC Act 2006, also empowered it to grant urgent interim reliefs.
The court held that the affidavit of urgency as well as the submission of FG’s lawyer revealed: “a scenario that may gravely affect the larger society and the well-being of the nation at large”.
NAN also reports that on July 27, the federal government said the planned strike by the NLC over the removal of fuel subsidy and its attendant hardship is in contempt of an order of the national industrial court.
Solicitor-General of the Federation Beatrice Jeddy-Agba, in a statement on the issue, warned the NLC leadership to desist from threatening court orders with disdain.
The NLC, on July 19, issued a notice to begin a nationwide strike on Aug. 2 to protest the removal of fuel subsidy amid an astronomical hike in the pump price of petrol resulting from the policy announced by President Bola Tinubu at his inauguration on May 29.
NAN
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Ajia: Tunji Disu’s Leadership Offers Hope for Tackling Insecurity
By AbdulRahman Obaje
The Dan Amanan Fune Emirate of Yobe State and Nwanne Ukwu Di Na Mba of Amaba-Ukwu Item in Abia State, Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed Ajia, Ph.D, has congratulated the newly appointed Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, describing his appointment as well deserved and timely for Nigeria’s security challenges.
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Ajia also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he called a bold and thoughtful decision in appointing a highly experienced and celebrated police officer to lead the nation’s police force.
In a statement signed by his Director of Communications, Mallam Abdulrahman Aliagan, and made available to journalists in Abuja on Monday , Ajia praised Disu’s impressive educational background, professional training and operational experience, noting that Nigeria and Nigerians are fortunate to have him at the helm of the Nigeria Police Force at this critical time.
According to Ajia, the new IGP has built a reputation for professionalism, discipline and dedication to duty, qualities he said are necessary to reposition the police and strengthen internal security across the country.
He noted that the appointment has raised renewed hope that the country can decisively confront insecurity, insurgency, kidnapping and banditry if the police leadership fully deploys its experience, training and operational capacity.
Ajia, a celebrated retired Police Officer, however, advised the new police chief to prioritise the welfare and concerns of officers and men particularly the rank and file who carry out the bulk of policing duties across the country. He stressed that listening to their “yearnings and cries” would significantly improve their morale and operational effectiveness.
He urged the new IGP to see to the end of final exit from the Pencom system to an improved police pension system . Also to address structural imbalances within the force, particularly the growing disparity between senior officers and the rank-and-file personnel who are responsible for frontline policing.
According to him, the police system must return to a proper pyramidal structure that allows for balanced growth, professionalism and efficiency.
The security expert further called for the recruitment of more rank-and-file officers to strengthen community-level policing, noting that the current structure has too many officers in higher ranks while the operational base remains understaffed. He encouraged the new police boss to ensure that recruitment becomes a real and transparent exercise rather than routine announcements.
On welfare, Ajia urged the police leadership to work towards the realignment of police salaries with those of other internal security agencies. He recalled that approval had been granted during the administration of president Goodluck Jonathan but requires only full implementation.
He also advised the new IGP to work closely with the Nigeria Police Trust Fund to ensure that projects and interventions are based strictly on the operational needs assessment of the force . According to him, the National Assembly should also strengthen the legal framework guiding the Trust Fund so that it functions purely as a professional support institution rather than a political structure.
Fune Emirate title holder emphasised that with the establishment of the Trust Fund, funding for policing in Nigeria should no longer be a major challenge if properly managed.
Speaking on insecurity, he expressed confidence that Nigeria can significantly reduce insurgency, kidnapping and banditry if the police rise fully to the responsibility of internal security. He urged Disu to deploy his experience, networks and training to confront criminality decisively.
He also recommended the establishment of a special force counter-terrorism unit within the police, stressing that the Nigeria Police already possesses a model that can be strengthened into an effective national response unit for violent crimes
Ajia concluded that Nigerians are optimistic about the future of policing under Disu’s leadership and expressed confidence that with courage, strategic reforms and commitment to officers’ welfare, the new Inspector-General of police will leave a lasting legacy in the nation’s security system.
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Rev. Fr. Barkindo of the Kukah Centres highlights 2 points to tackle insecurity, at the Ashraaf Islamic Foundation Centre Ramadan Lecture
By AbdulRahman Obaje
The Rev. Fr. Atta Barkindo, Executive Director of The Kukah Centre (TKC), and Head of Secretariat for the National Peace Committee has identified two cogent points to tackle insecurity in Nigeria.
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He revealed this during the 9th Annual Ramadan Lecture and Prayer for the Nation, presented by Ashraaf Islamic Foundation in Abuja, Nigeria.
While answering questions from journalists at the event, Rev Fr. Barkindo highlights misrepresentation of religion as the first problem.
He said, “I think for me, the first thing is to understand where is this problem coming from? Number one, we cannot keep denying that this thing has nothing to do with Islam or has nothing to do with Christianity. I think if you make this denial, you have not understand.
“If you have ten children and one of them becomes a thief, are you saying that that thief is no longer your child, is your child.”
“So, the first thing is that people are exploiting religion, they are misrepresenting religion and we need to get religious leader who understand the situation, who have the influence, the respect in order to proffer solutions and to help us to stop the exploitation and the misrepresentation of religion.
He further revealed that education is the second key element in the equation.
“And the second element for me actually is education. People are really not very educated and it is difficult for you to practice democracy in a context of illiteracy. So there has to be proper education that can offer jobs, meaningful jobs to people. And I think once people have this job they are likely going to leave atrocities and concentrate on their work.”, he continued.
While reacting to questions on why he is part of Muslim gathering, he said, “God is God, where are the human beings trying to make distinction, God has absolutely no problem.”
“The Christians are fasting, Muslims are fasting, there is nothing wrong for me to come and grow from the Islamic perspective. If I get to heaven and there is no Christianity, I have Islam, I will enter heaven; If I get to heaven and there is no Islam, I have Christianity, I will enter heaven; so, I am pretty very much okay with it.”
“My biggest interest was actually to look at the Islamic jurisprudence, either supporting or making illegitimate terrorist activities in this country. Does Islam support terrorism through jihad or does Islam prohibit terrorism and condemn jihad rather than personal effort and I think for me this is really an interesting aspect and I think this will afford the government in developing some very strong strategic policies recommendation from lectures of this nature.”
“To see how they can work with religious leaders particularly Islamic groups in supporting the justice system, the judicial processes that will hold perpetrators of atrocities accountable.”
“And at the same time, what sort of mediation, conflict resolution, reconciliation platform can communities create in their local area in order to mitigate the violence across this country.”
“We don’t have to wait for another country to come into Nigeria and tell us what is happening. We can all see for ourselves. It’s not Christians, it’s not Muslims, Nigerians are dying literally from every part of this country; in Sokoto, in Zamfara, in Katsina, in Benue, in Plateau, in Adamawa, Christians, Muslims, atheist; at the end of the day, Nigerians are dying.”
“And I think for me we should look at it from that perspective. Death is about Christians or Muslims. It is about the fact that Nigerian citizens are being killed and what can we do to stop the killing together?”.
The Ashraaf Islamic Foundation is always striving to tackle the socio-economic problem bedeviling the nation with its Annual Ramadan Lecture and Maolid Nabiyy. This year edition of the Annual Ramadan Lecture had gathered notable Nigerians focusing on the Islamic perspective on banditry and terrorism with theme “Faith & Justice, The Islamic Judicial Perspective on Terrorism, and Banditry in Nigeria.”
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Ashraaf Islamic Foundation Tackles Insecurity with 9th Annual Ramadan Lecture
By AbdulRahman Obaje
Many people, especially Nigerians were not happy when on October 31st, 2025, the United States of America led by Donald Trump had again designated Nigeria a country of particular Concern (CPC), citing severe systemic and ongoing violation of religious freedom.
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This is because Nigeria insiders know that impact of insecurity in Nigeria does not only affect a particular religion or sect or tribe or state as claimed by outsiders. The version of insecurity that Nigeria as a nation is currently experiencing has recorded significant blow to properties and loss of lives to Christians, Muslims, traditionalists and atheists alike; from the northern, southern, eastern, western and even the middle-belt parts of the country. So, concluding that a particular religion, sect or tribe is being targeted at might revealed that such does not actually understand the true nature of insecurity in Nigeria.
Notable among those that truly understand the real calculus of insecurity in Nigeria is the Founder/Chairman, Ashraaf Islamic Foundation, Imam (Dr) Sharafudeen Abdulsalam Aliagan. So, it is not surprising that the 9th edition of Ashraaf Islamic Foundation’s Annual Ramadan Lecture and Prayer for The Nation focused on assisting the government in tackling insecurity by bringing stakeholders together under one roof of discussion so as to channel a course of action for the nation.
This year Ramadan Lecture which theme is “Faith & Justice, The Islamic Judicial Perspective on Terrorism, and Banditry in Nigeria” gathered stakeholders from across the board; the judiciary, the executive and the legislative arms of government; religious leaders, politicians, business moguls among other notable Nigerians.
Those that speak with journalists among guest speakers at the event expressed enthusiasm hoping that outcome of the event will boost the fight against terrorism and banditry in no small measure.
Salisu Abubakar representing the grand cardy of the sharia court of appeal of FCT, Abuja while interacting with journalists at the event said, “the grand cardy had wanted to attend however, other engagement prevented him from doing so. And he sends his appreciation and congratulations to the organizer, Ashraaf Islamic Foundation, especially for coming up with a very timely topic on the issue of Islamic judicial perspective on terrorism and banditry in Nigeria.”
“This topic could not have come at a better time than now especially considering what the country is with lately presenting, Nigeria has been designated as a country of a particular concern by the United State of America.”, he continued.
“It is our belief that Islam has provided solution and prescription on how to fight terrorism and banditry. Allah clearly says in the Holy Quran in chapter 5, verse 33 on how bandits and terrorists should be dealt with. Incidentally and fortunately the terrorism prohibition acts in Nigeria has borrowed a leaf from most of the punishment prescribed in the Quran. So, what is left is the will to prosecute bandits and terrorists.”
“All hands must be on deck, the judiciary, the executive and the legislature to see to the end of banditry and terrorism in Nigeria.”, he charges.
“Fortunately, the organizer is able to empanel the right stakeholders to this program, the representative of Mr. president, the person of honourable minister of state for health and social welfare was here; a senator of the federal republic of Nigeria is here and the judiciary is represented by us.”
“So, all the three arms of government are here and we hope that this program will come up with solutions on how to implement the laws that we already have; both in the Quran and the Nigeria constitution and other relevant legislation
Also, a security expert and politician, Dr. Muhammad Ibrahim Ajia commending the organizer of the Annual Ramadan Lecture event while emphasizing its importance to the modern-day challenges bedeviling us as a nation said, “I must say to you that this Ramadan Lecture is a very unique one, the topic borders about typical issue that is confronting our nation.”
“The guest lecturers and all the speakers are looking at the perspective on how to assist the country in tackling the problems of insurgence, kidnapping and all sort of senseless killing that is going on across Nigeria. And from here today, we are going to deduce that if you go back to faith, if you go back to Islamic perspective on dealing with high level of crime, I can tell you the society will be free of such heinous crimes.”
While proffering solutions to the insecurity, Rev. Fr. Atta Barkindo, Executive Director of the Kukah Centre (TKC), and Head of Secretariat for the national Peace Committee highlights two cogent points as a take-home if we must get it right about the insecurity.
Fr. Barkindo said, “I think for me, the first thing is to understand where is this problem coming from? Number one, we cannot keep denying that this thing has nothing to do with Islam or has nothing to do with Christianity. I think if you make this denial, you have not understand.
“if you have ten children and one of them becomes a thief, are you saying that that thief is no longer your child, is your child.”
“So, the first thing is that people are exploiting religion, they are misrepresenting religion and we need to get religious leader who understand the situation, who have the influence, the respect in order to proffer solutions and to help us to stop the exploitation and the misrepresentation of religion.
“And the second element for me actually is education. People are really not very educated and it is difficult for you to practice democracy in a context of illiteracy. So there has to be proper education that can offer jobs, meaningful jobs to people. And I think once people have this job, they are likely going to leave atrocities and concentrate on their work.”
All hands must be on deck so as to see to the end of banditry and terrorism in Nigeria.
Imam Aliagan, the visionary founder of Ashraaf Islamic Foundation, has continuously worked towards educating and awakening the consciousness of Muslims and non-Muslims alike on topical issues of national concern. For years, his efforts have been showcased during the Annual celebration of his Foundation’s Maolid Nabiyy and Special Ramadan lectures and prayers.
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PoliticsMarch 5, 2026Ajia Congratulates Kwara APC Exco , Gov. AbdulRaham Others Over Successful State CongressNewsMarch 3, 2026Ajia: Tunji Disu’s Leadership Offers Hope for Tackling InsecurityNewsMarch 3, 2026Rev. Fr. Barkindo of the Kukah Centres highlights 2 points to tackle insecurity, at the Ashraaf Islamic Foundation Centre Ramadan LectureNewsMarch 3, 2026Ashraaf Islamic Foundation Tackles Insecurity with 9th Annual Ramadan Lecture