Kaduna State Government has established a Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the actions and conduct of NLC warning strike of 16th to 19th May 2021 in the state and the events associated with it.
In a statement by the Special Assistant to the state governor on Media and Communication Mr Muyiwa Adekeye says Justice Ishaq Bello, former Chief Judge of the FCT, will chair the seven-member inquiry which is required to submit its final report 60 days after its first sitting.
According to the Statement, the judge-has 14 terms of reference, including the legality of the strike and any breach of the relevant laws on trade disputes and essential services.
“Acting under the powers conferred by the 1999 Constitution and the Commissions of Inquiry Law, CAP 34, Laws of Kaduna State, 1991, Governor Nasir El-Rufai has named the following persons as members of the inquiry:
i. Hon. Mr. Justice Ishaq Bello Chairman
ii. AVM Rabiu Dabo Commissioner
iii. Mr. Eyo O. Ekpo Commissioner
iv. Mrs. Joan Jatau-Kadiya Commissioner
v. Mr. Chom Bagu Commissioner
vi. Dr. Nasirudeen Usman Commissioner
vii. Malam Mohammed Isah Aliyu Commissioner”
The Statement said, Malam Nasiru El-Rufai also appointed Mr. Daniel Chukwudi Enwelum, SAN as Counsel to the Commission, and Mr. Musa Kakaki, Esq. as Secretary to the Commission.
It says the instrument establishing the Judicial Commission of Inquiry prescribes the following terms of reference which includes to ascertain the precise chronology of events immediately preceding and during the strike and also inquire into whether the NLC can lawfully declare a warning strike or any industrial action in any State in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“ASCERTAIN whether the NLC or its affiliates complied with the Labour Act, Trade Union Act, Trade Dispute (Essential Services) Act and other laws in declaring and effecting the said “warning strike” in Kaduna State”
“INQUIRE into whether the internal processes and procedures of the NLC at national and subnational levels were complied with in declaring the “warning strike”, in particular with regards to the powers and responsibilities of the affiliate unions in such matters.
“INQUIRE into the roles of various actors before, during and after the said “warning strike”, and determine whether actions and omissions by the following organisations and persons amount to a breach of any extant laws:
i. The Nigerian Labour Congress and any affiliate union(s);
ii. The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN);
iii. The Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KAEDCO);
iv. The Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC);
v. Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN);
vi. Federal Ministry of Labour, Employment and Productivity;
vii. Federal Ministry of Power;
viii. Federal Ministry of Transportation;
ix. Federal Ministry of Aviation;
x. Mr. Ayuba Wabba;
xi. Mr. Joe Ajaero;
xii. Mr. Ayuba Suleiman;
The statement stated that, the inquiry commission is expected to also ASCERTAIN the economic losses incurred by citizens, businesses and the Kaduna State Government as a result of the warning strike of the NLC.
It further says the commission will RECOMMEND to the State Government, Federal Government and other authorities on the appropriate actions to be taken to avert or curb any repeat of the events of 16th to 19th May 2021 of NLC.
The statement added that the commission has power to INVITE any individuals, organizations, associations and the general public to bring up memoranda, petitions and other form(s) of presentations that will assist the Commission in addressing the terms of reference.
From AMINU DALHATU