By Chioma Iruke
A National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja, has restrained the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, from reducing the salaries and allowances of members of the Association of Specialist Medical Doctors in Academics (ASMEDA).
Justice Osatohanmwen Obaseki-Osaghae gave the order on Wednesday while ruling on an ex-parte motion brought before the court by some doctors in academics on behalf of the affected members of ASMEDA.
Justice Obaseki-Osaghae also restrained the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission; Accountant General of the Federation and Minister of Finance from taking any action on the content of the letter dated April 22, which was issued to the Accountant General, pending the determination of the motion on notice before the court.
The court also made an order directing the defendants to pay the doctors in academics based on the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure and the Associated Allowances as approved by the federal government on September 29, 2009, which is the status quo, pending the determination of the motion on notice.
It also ordered that the originating processes of the suit hearing notice should be served on the defendants.
The matter was adjourned to October 14 for hearing of the motion on notice.
