The management of Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology Ikere-Ekiti (BOUESTI) has said it did not breach any law or the Trade Dispute Act in the proscription of the activities of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) in the institution.
The university chapter of the union had in a petition addressed to the governor, Biodun Oyebanji and the pro-chancellor, Chief Wole Olanipekun accused the Vice Chancellor, Professor Victor Adeoluwa of unilaterally proscribing the union activities in breach of stipulated law.
However, the university through a letter written by its lawyer, Ajide Olayemi, explained that the activities of the union leading to their proscription in 2022 was detrimental to the image of the young institution.
He mentioned that executives of the union constituted themselves in a manner not expected of them in the university community, “which resulted in the Vice Chancellor and the University’s Bursar being assaulted, threatened with death, and traumatised over a non-trade union matter.”
The lawyer wrote, “The affected union members disregarded and flouted sections 4, 41, and 42 of the Trade Dispute Act, which stipulated conditions precedent to declaration of trade dispute, lock-out, or strikes and its attendant criminal punishment for non-compliance.
“They did this while posing as a joint action committee of all trade unions in the university and we have it on good authority that some Zonal and National officers of your client tacitly backed the breach of the above-cited law which also resulted in the disruption of our client’s matriculation ceremony which was stated for the 4th August 2022.
“We are in agreement that Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) guaranteed the right to association, however, it is trite that Section 40’s grant of rights to association is not absolute, it does not inure to the benefit of violent and illegal conducts and therefore would not avail your client’s chapter in question in this circumstance.
“President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria alone that can issue a prescription or suspension of union activities order, we wish to avail your client of section 40 of Trade Dispute Act which accorded the State Governors powers on trade disputes relating to Trade Unions Chapters in their state.
“If the Governor of Ekiti State had not used his authority under the extant laws as the Visitor to the university to nip the unwarranted assault in the bud, the abhorrent conduct of your client members in question would have resulted in a complete breakdown of law and order in the university.
“We therefore posit unequivocally that our client’s action was not in breach of section 1(1) of the Trade Dispute (Essential Services) Act.”
He, however, affirmed the university’s readiness to ensure amicable resolutions to the impasse, saying, “ it is important to reiterate that both parties’ displays of decorum and sincerity of purpose are pivotal for such a settlement to be achieved.”
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