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AGF Fagbemi Asks Labour To Shelve Planned Strike, Says It’s “Gross Breach Of Court Order”

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Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, has asked organised labour to postpone any planned strike over the elimination of petrol subsidies.

On September 26, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) announced a nationwide strike to begin on October 3 in protest of the country’s status.

The NLC had already staged a two-day warning strike against the impact of the subsidy elimination on the masses.

In a letter to the NLC, TUC, and Femi Falana, the senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) who is the counsel to organized labour, Fagbemi said the planned indefinite nationwide strike is a violation of a subsisting court order.

The AGF said organized labour should respect the June 5 order issued by the national industrial court, restraining both unions from embarking on strike.

He added that the judgment remains binding and enforceable until set aside, noting that going ahead with the strike would amount to a disregard for the dignity and integrity of the court.

The AGF urged Falana to prevail on his clients to respect the order of the court and allow room for ongoing negotiations between parties on how best to address the challenges associated with the petrol subsidy removal.

“The proposed strike action is premised principally in furtherance of issues connected with the removal of fuel subsidy, hike in fuel price and consequential matters of making provisions for palliatives and workers welfare,” Fagbemi said.

“These are undoubtedly issues that have been submitted to the national industrial court for adjudication.

“Therefore, the proposed strike action is in clear violation of the pending interim injunctive order granted on 5th June 2023 restraining both Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress from embarking on any industrial action/or strike of any nature, pending the hearing and determination of the pending motion on notice.

“We wish to reiterate that a court order, regardless of the opinion of any party on it, remains binding and enforceable until set aside.

“It is the expectation of the public that the labour unions would lead in obedience and observance of court orders and not in its breach.

“It is, therefore, the earnest expectation of this office that your distinguished law firm will advise the labour unions on the need to protect the integrity of courts and observe the sanctity of court orders.

“Consequently, you are kindly requested to impress it upon the organized labour unions to note the fact that their proposed strike action is in gross breach of the subsisting court order, as well as the appropriateness of addressing their grievances/demands within the ambit of the law.

“Hence, the need for them to be more accommodating and show greater appreciation of the effect of the order of the court, by shelving the strike action.”

BIG STORY

Forgive Fubara Like Sanwo-Olu, Reinstate Him In The Spirit Of June 12 — Bode George To Tinubu

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Bode George, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to “reinstate Siminalayi Fubara,” the “suspended governor of Rivers,” in the “spirit of the June 12 celebrations.”

In an open letter addressed to Tinubu, George said since the president recently “forgave Babajide Sanwo-Olu,” governor of Lagos, the “same gesture should be extended to Fubara.”

George, a former PDP deputy national chairman (south-west), said the president should “reinstate Fubara” to “honor the memory of the June 12 struggles.”

“If Tinubu could forgive Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, then he should extend the same gesture to Fubara,” he was quoted as saying by NAN.

“On June 12, we will be celebrating Democracy Day. This is a reminder of the true meaning of democracy — the will of the people.

“Since Tinubu has forgiven Sanwo-Olu, then it makes a lot of sense, spiritually, to also forgive Fubara and let him return to office. I am talking as an elder.

“He (Tinubu) later joined NADECO to fight for democracy. Some of those who fought alongside him for democracy have died. It is not of his making that he is alive today.

“So, he should thank God, honour the memory of those who fought alongside him for democracy and return Fubara to office immediately.

“I also appeal to him, in the spirit of my maternal grand uncle who founded the first political party in Nigeria in 1922, Herbert Macaulay, to please reinstate Fubara.

“Tinubu should listen to and honour this appeal in memory of all those who died in the journey to our democracy.”

On “June 8,” during a “meeting with the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) and other Lagos stakeholders,” Tinubu said he had “forgiven Sanwo-Olu.”

“June 12” has been declared as a day to “commemorate democracy in Nigeria” to “posthumously honor MKO Abiola,” presumed winner of the “June 12, 1993, presidential election.”

BACKGROUND

On “March 18,” Tinubu declared “emergency rule” in the “oil-rich Rivers” over the “political crisis and instability” in the state.

He also “suspended Fubara,” his “deputy, Ngozi Odu,” and “all members of the Rivers assembly” for an “initial period of six months.”

The president immediately appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, a “retired naval chief,” as the “state’s sole administrator.”

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BIG STORY

NIHOTOUR Calls For Calm Engagement After Field Officer Provoked During Lagos Compliance Exercise

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On Tuesday, June 10, 2025, during a “scheduled compliance and standardization exercise” by the “National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR)” at the “Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos,” a “moment of tension arose” between a “hotel staff member” and a “law enforcement officer” attached to the NIHOTOUR delegation who was “striped off his uniform” by the hotel staff.

The misunderstanding—which “does not reflect the tone of the broader engagement”—escalated when a “hotel staff physically confronted the officer,” resulting in “damage and striping of his official police uniform.”

The officer, “caught off guard” and “naked with only his pants trousers,” got “visibly provoked” and responded with a “slap,” which made “direct contact with the staff member’s face.”

While the incident is “regrettable and avoidable,” it serves as a “sober reminder” of the importance of “composure, clarity, and professionalism” during such exercises.

The Institute reiterates that its mandate is anchored on “collaboration, capacity enhancement, and stakeholder engagement”—”not hostility or confrontation.”

Commenting on the situation, NIHOTOUR’s Director of Inspection and Enforcement, Barrister Chike Ukuekwe, urged practitioners and operators in the industry to “shun aggressive and combative engagement” when officers of the law arrive at their premises for a “compliance exercise.”

He further emphasized the “need for mutual understanding” and a “professional approach to enforcement efforts.”

“Our collective mission is the upliftment of Nigeria’s hospitality, tourism, and travel sectors through standardization and compliance. These exercises are not meant to antagonize operators but to align practices with national expectations and global standards,” he said.

“We commend establishments like Eko Hotel, Sojourner Hotel, Marriot Hotel, Radisson Blu Hotel VI, Black Diamond Hotel, Four Points By Sheraton and others that open their doors to these engagements, and we urge all stakeholders to embrace dialogue, not disruption. It would interest you to know that most of the hotels visited, the compliance issues were resolved within the premises of most hotels, and our team left peacefully after assurances were made by most management of those hotels to comply within 7 days’ time.”

As “Nigeria’s lead institution” for the “standardization of the hospitality, tourism, and travel industry practice,” NIHOTOUR remains “committed to ensuring a professional and safe operational environment.”

“Initiatives such as the ongoing national compliance drive” are designed to “reinforce quality, ethics, and service excellence” across the board.

Moving forward, NIHOTOUR is taking “deliberate steps” to “enhance communication protocols” and “on-site preparedness” during field exercises, ensuring “clarity of purpose and mutual respect” among all parties involved.

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BIG STORY

Democracy Day: President Tinubu To Address Nigerians At 7am Tomorrow

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To commemorate the 2025 Democracy Day, President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to deliver a nationwide broadcast on Thursday at 7am.

This was disclosed in a statement released on Wednesday by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Democracy Day.

Abdulhakeem Adeoye, who signed the statement on behalf of the committee’s Director, Information & Public Relations, stated that following the address, the president will participate in a joint session of the National Assembly at noon.

The session is expected to include speeches about the State of the Nation, reflections on Nigeria’s democratic evolution, and calls for greater unity and reform across the country.

Later in the evening, a public lecture titled “Consolidating on the Gains of Nigeria’s Democracy: Necessity of Enduring Reforms” is set to take place at 4pm at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.

In contrast to previous celebrations, there will be no Democracy Day parade this year.

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