By Ebiowei Lawal
YENAGOA-The National industrial court sitting in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital, has struck out the lingering case between the state chapters of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, and the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, ASUSS.
Delivering judgment, the presiding judge, Justice Bashir Alkali struck out the ground of lack of substantial evidence that could uphold the prayers of ASUSS.
ASUSS has been in a prolonged litigation with the NUT in a bid to seek redress, and possible egress from subjection of their salaries as dues to NUT, that they felt have failed in the role of protecting and representing the affairs of secondary school teachers in the state.
According to the counsel for the respondent that includes NUT, Barrister Stanley Damabide who expressed joy for the victory of the case, cautioned that, registration is very key for any group to operate as a trade union, which the ASUSS lacked.
Also speaking, the state secretary of the NUT Comrade Johnson Hector who also expressed joy and satisfaction on the case, noted that, they want to practice true trade unionism and use the opportunity to call on the ASUSS to come back to the NUT as they are ready to work with them.
On his part, the state Chairman of ASUSS Comrade Oyinemi Eberedeni, who expressed confidence that ASSUS could still win, noted that all hope is not lost yet as they are eyeing a higher court for further litigations with the hope of getting justice however delayed.
Adding to it, the public relations officer of the ASUSS, Comrade Simon Ibieta noted that the case which was struck out on lack of evidence is not over yet noting that, on their part they are ready to gather facts together to review the day’s judgement in an appeal court soon.
He called on ASSUS members in the state to remain steadfast, as justice is sure for the union in no distant time.
