By Ayomide Otitoju
The National Industrial Court has granted an interim injunction restraining the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association from embarking on industrial action or picketing the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
Justice Emmanuel Danjuma Subilim, ruling on an ex parte application filed by the refinery’s counsel, George Ibrahim (SAN), also prohibited the unions from blocking public roads or disrupting operations at Dangote Refinery, MRS Oil Nigeria Plc, and MRS Oil and Gas Company Ltd.
Delivering the ruling in Abuja on Wednesday, Justice Subilim held that irreparable damage could occur if the injunction was not granted. The order, valid for seven days, will remain in force pending the hearing of a motion on notice. He further directed that the unions be served within the week and ordered the case file transferred to the court president for reassignment as the court’s vacation jurisdiction ends on September 23.
Dangote Refinery had sought the court’s protection against what it described as attempts by the unions to cripple operations. The company also requested an order compelling drivers to continue petroleum trucking services to its facilities, MRS, and the Nigerian public pending further hearing.
Counsel to the refinery argued that the unions’ planned actions violated Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees freedom of association, and Section 12(4) of the Trade Union Act. He insisted that the court had jurisdiction to intervene.
In its affidavit, the refinery pledged to pay damages if the injunction was later found unjustified. The court ruled that the balance of convenience favoured the refinery.
While reiterating support for voluntary unionism, Dangote Refinery dismissed monopoly claims, noting that more than 30 refinery licences have been issued to private operators.
NUPENG, however, accused the refinery of breaching a recent resolution on workers’ rights and intimidating union leaders. The union placed its members on red alert and called on government and civil society groups to intervene in the dispute.
