By Vivian Michael, Abuja
The President of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, (ASCSN) Comrade Bola-Audu Innocent, Wednesday, accused the Nigerian Police of subtly undermining the recent judgment of the National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja, which reinstated him as the authentic President of the Association.
The Court presided by Justice Oyewumi Oyebiola, had on July 9, 2024, voided the purported suspension of Bola-Audu, and subsequently ordered his return as President of ASCSN till when his tenure will be completed.
In the judgment delivered virtually,
Justice Oyebiola, held that the suspension of Bola-Audu by the Central Working Committee of the ASCSN and his subsequent expulsion by the National Working Committee was “unlawful, illegal, null and void and of no effect whatsoever”.
However, since Comrade Bola-Audu Innocent got the certified true copy of the court order, all concerted effort to assume duty as President, had been resisted by few members of the Association, believed to be loyal to one Etim Okon, who acted as President while the matter was in court.
Bola-Audu’s allegation followed a directive from the Police for him to vacate the office on Wednesday.
Addressing the press at the premises of ASCSN, Bola-Audu expressed dismay at the way the police is handling the issue.
Explaining that the judgement of the industrial court was declaratory in nature, the ASCSN President said, rather than uphold the order of court, the police are being complicit in the matter.
“Regrettably, those responsible for my ordeal have refused to respect the court’s judgment, seeking to frustrate its implemenration. I have drawn the attention of relevant law
enforcement agencies to this matter to no avail.
“Ironically, the Police, who should be providing protection, are now hindering my resumption of office. I am aware of plots to frustrate the court’s judgment and I therefore call on the Inspector General of Police to withdraw his men from our office as requested by our members.
Nevertheless, “We were invited by the FCT Commissioner of Police last Sunday for a meeting. Luckily, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, (Simon Lough), who is a police officer was present as an arbiter.
“He read the judgment for all of us, we were about 40 or more in the office of the Commissioner of Police.
“After reading, the judgment, he told the cabal who has been resisting me from assuming my office that what they were doing is wrong.
“He told them that the judgement of the National Industrial Court, cannot be compared with the judgment of an ordinary court; and that it is a special court set aside by government to treat issues of labour, Lough explained.
The SAN, in the presence of the Commissioner of Police told them that even if they claimed that they have appealed, they needed the leave of the court to be able to do so.
According to Bola-Audu, after the meeting, the Commissioner of Police said he was going to get across to them in two days.
“Uptill today, we have not heard from him. The tenure of this administration is going to end on Monday, the 29th.
So, it is a deliberate effort.
“We have been at the Force headquarters and complained, we have gone everywhere we feel we could get justice in peace, and it’s not coming.
“What right has the police to come and seal my office and would not allow me to assume the office as President of the Association, when a court of competent jurisdiction has said so.
“Are they interpreting the judgment of the court differently, the ASCSN President queried.
“They are to maintain law and order. Rather than do that, you came and locked up my office. Did you see anybody fighting, you locked up my office and then you are telling us cock and bull story” Bola-Audu fumed.
Meanwhile, a senior police officer (name withheld) told members of the Association who were in the office premises to vacate, claiming they were there to maintain law and order.
The officer said both parties should maintain status quo and stop parading themselves as President because their matter “is on the table”.
Reacting to that position, members of the Association, chanting solidarity songs said they rather die there than vacate the office. END.
