CALABAR — The National Industrial Court sitting in Calabar has restrained the Ikom Sand/Gravel Dredging and Tipper Union from regulating quarrying, sand and gravel dredging and tipper haulage operations within the jurisdiction of the Union of Tipper & Quarry Employers of Nigeria NEGROIDHAVEN can report authoritatively.
The court also declared that the Ikom Sand/Gravel Dredging & Tipper Union, MPCS, is not a registered trade union and had no legal authority under Nigerian law to regulate quarrying, sand/gravel dredging or tipper haulage.
The judgment was delivered on July 15, 2026, by the Presiding Judge of the National Industrial Court, Calabar Judicial Division, Justice Sansui Kado, in a suit (with number NICN/CA/12/2026) filed by the Union of Tipper & Quarry Employers of Nigeria against Stephen Asungha Esor, Desmond Oyongha Nsor and Bassey Ndifon Inyang.
The court declared the claimant the lawful and recognised trade union authorised to organise its members, regulate terms and conditions of employment and represent their interests, including within Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State.
It, however, clarified that the claimant’s trade-union function did not extend to regulating the quarry industry, stating that such regulation was a function of law and government agencies entrusted with it.
The court further held that the body operating as the Ikom Sand/Gravel Dredging & Tipper Union was not recognised under any law in Nigeria as having authority to regulate quarrying, sand/gravel dredging or tipper haulage.
It consequently declared that the defendants, their agents, representatives or any other persons operating under the name of the Ikom Sand/Gravel Dredging & Tipper Union lacked lawful authority to interfere with, regulate, impose levies upon or issue directives to members of the claimant union within its constitutional jurisdiction.
The court also granted a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their officers, agents, servants, privies or anyone operating under the name of the Ikom union from interfering with the authority, operations or members of the claimant.
Similarly, the court restrained the defendants from holding themselves out as the body entitled to unionise members or persons operating in sand/gravel dredging or tipper-haulage operations under the claimant’s jurisdiction.
In addition, the court restrained any other person or association, irrespective of its name, from interfering with the operations or members of the claimant union.
The court awarded N500,000 in general damages against the defendants for what it described in the order as unlawful interference, authorised levies, illegal obstruction, harassment, assault and public opprobrium allegedly caused to members of the claimant.
It also awarded N20m as the cost of litigation and ordered 10 per cent monthly interest on the judgment debt until it is fully paid.
The judgment was issued in Calabar under the seal of the court on July 15, 2026.
The court’s order followed consideration of the processes filed by the parties and arguments canvassed by their respective counsel.
