By Teryima Ajijah
In an effort to resolve the persistent disputes between the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Kaduna state government, Governor Nasir El-Ruafi,
have set up a judiciary commission of inquiry to unravel the issues for an amicable resolution.
A statement issued Tuesday, by the Special Adviser to the governor on Media and Communication, Mr Muyiwa Adekeye, named the Justice Ishaq Bello, as Chairman. Mr Bello is a retired judge.
The press text stated that former Attorney-General of Cross River state, Eyo Ekpo and Mrs Joan Jatau-Kadiya, ex Attorney-General of Kaduna state as members of the commission.
According to the statement, former Assistant General of NLC and Deputy National Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Chom Bagu is also a member of the Commission of Inquiry.
Adekeye listed other members of the commission to include: AVM Rabiu Dabo, Dr Nasirudeen Usman and Malam Mohammed Isah Aliyu.
The said Judicial Commission of Inquiry is meant to investigate and establish legality for embarking on the industrial action, the NLC embarked upon since May, 2021.
The Special Adviser stated that ‘’the Judicial Commission of Inquiry is constituted based on the 1999 Constitution and the Commissions of Inquiry Law CAP 34, Laws of Kaduna State1991.’’
According to the statement, the Inquiry has 14 terms of reference which include ‘’to ascertain the legality of the warning strike, the actions of various persons and organisations.
Adekeye added that the commission should also ‘’determine whether such actions amount to any breach of the Trade Union Act, the Trade Disputes Act, the Trade Disputes (Essential Services) Act, the Miscellaneous Offenses Act, the Quarantine Act, the Public Health Law and Penal Code Law of Kaduna State and other laws.’’
‘’The Inquiry will also ascertain the economic losses incurred during the strike, assign responsibility for actions and make recommendations for appropriate actions, including civil remedies, criminal prosecution and policy measures,’’ he said.
The statement pointed out that ‘’Section 7 of the Commissions of Inquiry Law grants the Judicial Commission of Inquiry the power to summon any person in Nigeria to give evidence and to issue a warrant to compel the attendance of anyone so summoned.’’