The Government of Kaduna state has established a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to look into the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) strike of May 2021, Njenje Media News reports.
A statement issued by Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Mr Muyiwa Adekeye, the Judicial Commisson of Inquiry has Justice Ishaq Bello, a retired Judge as chairman, with former Attorney-General of Cross River state Eyo Ekpo and Mrs Joan Jatau-Kadiya, ex Attorney General of Kaduna state as members.
According to the statement, former Assistant General Secretary of NLC and an ex-Deputy National Secretary of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Chom Bagu is also a member of the Commission of Inquiry.
Adekeye listed other members of the commission to include AVM Rabiu Dabo, Dr Nasirudeen Usman and Malam Mohammed Isah Aliyu.
The Special Adviser stated that ‘’the Judicial Commission of Inquiry is constituted based on the 1999 Constitution and the Commissions of Inquiry Law CAP 34, Laws of Kaduna state 1991.’’
According to the statement, the Inquiry has 14 terms of reference which include ‘’ to ascertain the legality of the warning strike, the actions of various persons and organisations.
Adekeye added that the commission should also ‘’determine whether such actions amount to any breach of the Trade Union Act, the Trade Disputes Act, the Trade Disputes (Essential Services) Act, the Miscellaneous Offenses Act, the Quarantine Act, the Public Health Law and Penal Code Law of Kaduna state and other laws.’’
‘’The Inquiry will also ascertain the economic losses incurred during the strike, assign responsibility for actions and make recommendations for appropriate actions, including civil remedies, criminal prosecution and policy measures,’’ he said.
The statement pointed out that ‘’Section 7 of the Commissions of Inquiry Law grants the Judicial Commission of Inquiry the power to summon any person in Nigeria to give evidence and to issue a warrant to compel the attendance of anyone so summoned.’’
