High Court Declines Jurisdiction Over Labour Matter

A High Court in  Rivers State sitting at Nchia, Eleme and presided over by Hon. Justice E. Suzzette Nyesom Wike, has declined jurisdiction over a matter between Rivers/Bayelsa Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union (Claimants) and John Amajuoyi, George Udofia, Chief Anthony O. Okafor, Emeka M. Nzeh, Chima Chijioke and Dominic Nmerengwa (defendants).

The judge declined jurisdiction with regard to preliminary objection raised by the defendants/applicants. The defendants/applicants had contended that the high court had no jurisdiction in labour matters.

According to the ruling, the preliminary objection was brought pursuant to section 7 of the National Industrial Court Act, Section 254 (1) (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Third Alteration Act, 2010 and under the inherent Jurisdiction of the court.

The ruling stated that the claimants/respondents had by their writ of summons dated on 5th of January, 2011 and filed on 18th of January 2011 sought some declaratory reliefs and order of perpetual injunction infusion against the defendant.

Hon. Justice Nyesom Wike also stated that   the matter would be remitted to the Hon. Chief Judge of Rivers State for onward transmission to the National Industrial Court which is the court with competence to hear the matter.

Chidi Enyie