Caretaker Committee Chairman of Edo State Council of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Prof. Monday Igbafen, has filed a suit at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, with a view to affirming its authority and restraining the Bernard Egwakhide-led Executive from parading itself as leader of the body.

Prof. Igbafen-led Caretaker Committee was inaugurated by the National Leadership of the union, while Egwakhide took over leadership following the exit of Odion Olaye.

In the suit, Prof. Igbafen, acting for himself and on behalf of the NLC Caretaker Committee in Edo State, is challenging the continued occupation of the union’s secretariat and control of its assets by members of the Egwakhide-led factional state Executive Council.

Joined in the suit were Edo State Government, Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.

Igbafen is asking the court to declare that the caretaker committee, constituted on August 11, 2025, by the NLC national leadership, remained the only lawful authority to administer the affairs of Edo State Council pending fresh elections.

He is seeking a declaration that the continued occupation of the NLC secretariat located at 1, Teboga Road, Benin City, as well as the retention of union assets, financial records and official instruments by the defendants, was illegal and void.

Prof. Igbafen is also asking for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from parading themselves as officials of the NLC Edo Council or interfering with the functions of the caretaker committee.

He urged the court to restrain the state government and its officials from interfering in the internal affairs of the union, alleging undue support for the dissolved executive.

The claimants is also demanding N50 million as general and exemplary damages against the defendants for alleged unlawful usurpation of office and acts prejudicial to the administration of the council. (The Nation)

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