ASUU strike: Drama as student drags lecturers, Nigerian govt, 36 states, National Assembly to court

A university student, Soohemba Aker, has prayed a Federal High Court, Abuja, for an order suspending the activities of Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) until ASUU strike is resolved.

The final year Law student of Benue State University, also sought same order suspending the operation of Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC),

The respondents include the Federal Government, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Senate President, House of Representatives Speaker, Attorney-General of Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice.

Others are Attorney Generals of the 36 states, Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Abia Governor, RMAFC, FAAC, Umar Faruk (President, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).

The student, in a fundamental rights enforcement suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1684/2022 and filed by her lawyer, Chukwuma-Machukwu Ume, SAN, said she is affected by the ongoing industrial action.

Aker filed the action for herself on behalf of all students of public tertiary institutions currently affected by the nationwide ASUU strike, NAN reports.

The suit relies on Sections 46(1), (2) and (3) of the 1999 Constitution and Article 17(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act Chapter A9 (Charter 10 LFN 1990) No. 2 of 1983.

Aker prayed the court for an order stopping the payment of salaries, allowances and other benefits of all political office holders at the Presidency and federal lawmakers.

She urged the court to stop salaries and allowances of ministers, permanent secretaries, heads of parastatals and extra-ministerial bodies, VCs of striking universities, lawmakers and ASUU members.

Aker’s affidavit averred that the strike continues to affect her adversely as her plans of graduating this academic year 2022 and proceed to the Nigerian Law School had been thwarted.

The citizen lamented that her tuition fees paid for the academic year will go in vain as the academic year is almost lost if nothing is done.

Aker added that her dream of becoming a law graduate and a lawyer was at the verge of collapsing as her sponsor declared this year was the last she would be funded.

The matter is yet to be assigned to a judge. ASUU embarked on strike on February 14, 2022. The impasse is yet to be resolved despite a series of meetings.