By Vivian Okejeme Abuja
The National Industrial Court of Nigeria, has vacated an order obtained by the faction of the
Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria(ASCSN)restraining the National President of the Association, Comrade Innocent Bola-Audu from performing his duties.
Justice R.B Haastrup of the court vacated the order in his ruling in suit No. NICN/ABJ/220/2024 and Suit NoSuit No. NICN/ABJ/238/2024 filed by Shehu Mohammed and Joshua Apebo.
The incumbent President, Comrade Innocent Bola-Audu was re-elected for a second term of 4 years on the 10th of August 2024, by members of the Association after the expiration of his first tenure on the 29th of July, 2024.
In a press statement issued in Abuja, the National President informed the general public about the several court cases instituted against him by some members and staffs of the Association loyal to the erstwhile Secretary of the Association who plunged the Association into crises to distract as well as detract him from carrying on with the management and administrative affairs of the Union.
He stated that that faction have eventually come to terms with the judgement of the His Lordship Hon. justice O.O. Oyewunmi which resolved the leadership crises in the Union by re-instating as well as re-affairming him as the duly elected National President of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria.
Consequently, the members of the waring faction in a bid to embrace peace and dialogue approached the National Industrial Court on the 27th of February, 2025 to inform it that it has withdrawn the Appeal filed against the judgment of his Lordship O.O. Oyewunmi and also applied to withdraw all the processes as well as applications filed in the Court to explore an out of court settlement.
He explained further that he will do his best as the National President of the Union to rally every member of the Association together for the purpose of resolving every issues affecting the progress of the Association.
He therefore warn the general public to disregard any publications or false representation made to the general public which has the tendency to undermine peaceful process of settlement in the Association.
According to him the Constitution of the Association is clear. Only one President can preside over the affairs of the Association.He also maintain ed that ss the incumbent National President of the Association he alone has the powers to direct the conduct of the National Delegate Conference where new leaders of the Association will be duly elected.. Any meeting held in disregard of this constitutional provision is a nullity.
Consequently, he warned general public, ministries, agencies, financial institutions that while the process of settlement is ongoing in the Association anyone who deals with the Mohammed Shehu/Joshua Apebo faction does so at their own risk.
He urged the members of the Association to embrace peace as well as disregard any press statement issues by Joshua Apebo dated the 1st of March, 2025. That the content of the Statement was not authorised. That such Statement is mischievous, it does not show genuine intention to embrace peace and has the tendency to scuttle the out of court settlement proposed on the 27th of February, 2025.
Also, he asked members to remain calm and focused, and not to be swayed by Apebo’s misleading statements.
Therefore, he urged every members in the face of the current challenges in the Association with courage and boldness and not to relent in ensuring that the Association serves its purpose and restored back to glory.
