Shoched by June 1, 2011 ruling of a Federal High Court Kaduna presided by Justice M.L. Shuaibu on the case instituted by the union against the management of Finetex and Nortex Limited seeking for the settlement of their indebtedness to the union and workers’ benefits totaling N2.8 billion, workers in Nigeria’s Textile industry, did not only reject the judgment, but also declared that it is not yet over.

Under the umbrella of the National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers Union of Nigeria, NUTGTWN, in reaction to the case that commenced in 2004, said “it is one judgment long delayed and justice denied.” NUTGTWN through its General Secretary, Comrade Issa Aremu, in a statement, argued that Justice Shuaibu’s judgment was for the corporate debtors not for the poor workers of the companies.

According to him: “The two companies are indebted to workers who are members of the union to the tune of N2.8 billion being unpaid salaries and other entitlements. Un-remitted union dues amount to N744, 079.74 in the case of Finetex Limited and N1, 266,813.26 in the case of Nortex Limited. The matter commenced in 2004 under Justice M.A. Liman and was later transferred to the new Judge of the Federal High Court Kaduna, Justice M.L. Shuaibu in 2010. After more than 40 sittings by previous Judge, His Lordship delivered unacceptable judgment and not justice on the matter. His refusal to grant the union’s petition for settlement of workers’ benefits and un-remitted union dues is not acceptable.”