The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has directed its lawyers to appeal a ruling ordering its members to return to work.
This was contained in a statement jointly signed by NARD President, Dr Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi, and the union’s Secretary-General, Dr Jerry Isogun, on Friday
The doctors said they have begun the process to appeal the ruling.
“As we are all aware, especially those that were present in court today (Friday), the NIC has given a ruling on the application for interlocutory injunction filed by the Federal Government,” the statement said, noting ”We are not satisfied with the ruling.”
“After consultations with our lawyers, we have instructed our lawyers to appeal the ruling and file an application for stay of execution,” it read in part.
Earlier, the National Industrial Court in Abuja had, Friday, September 17, restrained the resident doctors from continuing with the ongoing strike pending the determination of the substantive suit before it.
The court, therefore, ordered members of the association nationwide to return to work.
Justice Bashar Alkali made the order while ruling on an application by the Federal Government in the suit against NARD.
The judge said, “I hereby make an interlocutory injunction restraining members of the respondent in all States of the Federation from further continuing with the industrial action embarked on August 2.
”I also make an order of interlocutory injunction compelling all members of the respondent in all States of the Federation to suspend the said industrial action it commenced on August 2.”
The claimants – Ministry of Health and the Federal Government through the Ministry of Labour, had approached the court through a motion on notice dated August 18 and filed August 21.
The application which was predicated on three grounds had in support a 10-paragraph affidavit, filed with a written address, and was attached with four annexes.
The claimants in the application had sought for an order of interlocutory injunction restraining and compelling members of the respondent in all states of the Federation from further continuing and suspending the industrial action embarked on August 2.
The defendant in response also filed a 17-page counter-affidavit with a written address filed on August 31.
