The National Industrial Court has adjourned the case between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, to September 16.

Thelagostimes gathered that Justice Polycap Hamman adjourned the matter to enable both parties to file the necessary papers for the suit.

The Head of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Olajide Oshundun, had earlier revealed that the matter was referred to the Registrar of National Industrial Court by the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige, following which the government approached the court requesting an order for ASUU to resume while the dispute is being addressed.

Recall that ASUU embarked on strike since February this year, leading to the closure of public universities for eight months now.

Meanwhile, at Monday’s proceedings, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), sought to join the suit as an interested party.

SERAP’s lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, said his client had filed a similar suit asking the court to compel the federal government to honour its 2009 agreement with the striking varsity lecturers.

“We filed a similar suit on 8 September, asking the court to compel the federal government to honour an agreement it willingly entered into with ASUU,” Mr Adegboruwa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) said on Monday.