The National Industrial Court in Abuja has granted an interim injunction preventing the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association from engaging in industrial action or compelling other drivers to participate.
The ruling, delivered on Wednesday by Justice Subilim, was issued following an ex parte motion filed by counsel for Dangote, George Ibrahim. The court also barred the unions from blocking roads, disrupting, or halting operations at Dangote Refinery, MRS Oil Nigeria Plc, and MRS Oil and Gas Company Ltd.
Ibrahim had sought the injunction to restrain the unions, their members, agents, and representatives from industrial actions that could paralyse the refineries. He further requested that the drivers be compelled to continue petroleum trucking services to the refineries and the public until the motion on notice is fully determined.
Arguing that the unions’ planned actions violated Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees freedom of association, and Section 12(4) of the Trade Union Act, Ibrahim emphasized the potential disruption to critical petroleum operations. Justice Subilim held that failing to grant the restraining orders could lead to irreparable damage to the Dangote Refinery.
The injunction will remain in effect for seven days, pending the hearing of the substantive motion. Since the court’s vacation jurisdiction ends on September 23, the file will be referred to the President of the National Industrial Court for reassignment to a judge who will handle the main case.
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