Court declines to stay proceedings on PEFMB election dispute

Andrew Orolua, Abuja

THE National Industrial Court, Abuja, has refused to stay proceedings in the suit brought before it by some aggrieved staff of the Petroleum Equalization Fund Management Board (PEFMB) following an election dispute at its Abuja branch.

The PEFMB is an arm of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN), instituted the suit in January 2016 following an inclusive election conducted by its Abuja branch in November 30, 2015.

The court had in February refused a motion for stay of proceedings pending the determination of a leg of the suit pending before the Court of Appeal.

At the resumed hearing of the suit, Justice Sanusi Kado, again dismissed an application filed by the defendants seeking a stay of hearing pending the outcome of the motion before the appellate court.

Dismissing the application, the judge held that there was no evidence before the court to show that a leg of the suit was before the appeal court, adding that “there was no infringement if the matter is proceeded for hearing.”

Our correspondent recalls that the originating suit was filed in 2016 by Seyi Gambo and Comrade Declan Agrinya, challenging the executive members of the branch for failing to give them fair hearing during and after the election that produced the current management of the board.

The claimants had filed the suit after their suspension from the association on the grounds that the election that produced the executive members where they were also aspirants was marred by irregularities.

They prayed the court to declare the election null and void, and order a fresh election to choose a new executive committee and an order of court for the payment of their entitlements from the day of their suspension in 2016.

The matter has been adjourned till May 2 for continuation of hearing.