Court bans NUPENG, truck drivers from disrupting Dangote Refinery operations
The National Industrial Court, Abuja, has approved an interim injunction restraining the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association from embarking on any industrial action, compelling other truck drivers to join.
The court also restrained NUPENG and others from blocking Nigerian roads, or frustrating or shutting down the operations of Dangote Refinery, MRS Oil Nigeria Limited, and MRS Oil and Gas Company Limited.
Justice E.D. Subilim delivered the ruling on Wednesday following an ex-parte motion filed by the refinery’s lawyer, George Ibrahim SAN.
The judge was satisfied that irreparable damage may be caused to Dangote Refinery if the necessary orders are not granted.
“This court, having satisfied itself that there is a serious issue to be tried, that the balance of convenience tilts in favour of the Applicants (Dangote Refinery), that irreparable damage may be occasioned if the necessary orders are not granted, and that the Applicants have given an undertaking as to damages.”
The judge also directed Dangote Refinery to serve NUPENG with the motion on notice and all accompanying documents within seven days. He ordered that the case be reassigned to another judge after 23 September, when the court’s vacation authority expires.
“An interim injunction is hereby granted restraining the 2nd Defendant/Respondent, its members, agents, servants, privies, representatives, assigns, or whatsoever and howsoever called from joining, continuing, further embarking on, or in any manner participating in the planned industrial action declared by the Defendant/Respondent or any other strike whatsoever against the Claimants/Applicants with a view to frustrating their businesses and operations pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice,” Justice Subilim said in his ruling.
