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Idahosa Moses | Benin
THE Congress of University Academics (CONUA), University of Benin (Uniben) Chapter, has applauded the recent judgment of the National Industrial Court, which affirmed CONUA as a Trade Union; describing it as victory for the rule of law.
The union while commending the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin and Chairman, Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, Prof. Lilian Salami, for the all-round development in UNIBEN, however, appealed to the Vice-Chancellor to accord CONUA full recognition; arising from the court judgement.
It would be recalled that the National Industrial Court on Tuesday affirmed the registration of the Congress of University Academics and the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics as trade unions.
The claimant in the suit, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had dragged the Minister of Labour and Employment; The Registrar, Trade Union; CONUA and NAMDA as first, second, third and fourth defendants, respectively, before the court
Delivering the judgement, Justice Benedict Kanyip, held that, in line with the International Labour Organisation Act, registration of more than one trade union within an employment is permissible and lawful.
In addition, the judge stated that contrary to the claimant’s submission that Section 3(2) of the Trade Union Act made the first and second defendants incompetent to register CONUA and NAMDA to coexist and carry out the same functions in the universities as ASUU.
Reacting to the Judgement on behalf of its members, the Chairman of the UNIBEN Chapter of CONUA, Dr. Ishaq Osagie-Eweka, commended the Court for its courageous and impartial ruling.
He said: "We commend the Justice Benedict Kanyip, for the display of strict morals and the courage to deliver a verdict in defence of fundamental human rights.
"The verdict no doubt has rekindled our confidence in the judicial system as the only hope of the weak and oppressed. Furthermore, the Chairman stated that the judgement upholds the liberty of employees to freely associate with any lawful Trade Union of choice
Dr. Osagie-Eweka, also lauded the national leadership of CONUA for its steadfastness in pursuit for justice; maintaining that it was a victory well deserved for academics.
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