At the helm of affairs of the Court is the President. Section 1(2) (a) of the National Industrial Court Act, 2006, provides that the court shall consist of the President of the court who shall have overall control and supervision of the administration of the Court. Section 2(5) provides that if the office of the President of the court is vacant, or if the person holding the office is for any reason unable to perform the functions of the office, then until a person has been appointed to and assumed the functions of that office or until the person holding the office has resumed those functions, the President (of the Federal Republic of Nigeria) shall appoint the most senior Judge of the court having the qualification to be appointed as President of the court as provided under subsection (3) of this section to perform those functions. Section 1(2)(b) provides that the Court shall consist of not less than twelve Judges. So, in the Judicial Cadre of the court are the President and the Judges. There are eight departments that have been created for administrative purposes. They function under the direct supervision of the Chief Registrar of the court. Statutorily, the Chief Registrar is seised of custody of the records of the court and exercises such other functions as are assigned to him/her by the Rules of Court and the President who has overall control and supervision and administration of the court. The departments of the court are as follows: Personnel; Litigation; Finance and Accounts; Procurement and Stores; Library, Clinic, Maintenance and Planning Research and Statistic (PRS).

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Under the Personnel department are the following sections: Appointment/Promotions/Disciplinary Section, Establishment/Pensions Section; Training and Development Section; Industrial Relations Section and Welfare Section. The functions of the Personnel Department include recruitment, selection and placement of personnel in the court; career and performance management; reward and compensation; training and development; industrial relations; preparation of personnel budget; retirement, disengagement and pension processes. The cadre of officers in the National Industrial Court include the Registrar, Assistants Registrars, Administrative Officers, Accountants, Librarian, Medical Officers, Pharmacists, Programme Analyst, Program Officer, Statistician, Statistic Officer, Stores Officer, Executive Officers, Engineers, Technical Officers, Nurses, Confidential Secretaries, Library Officers, Procurement Officers, Laboratory Technologist, Estate Officers, Clerical Officers and Typists. Presently, the judicial officers of the court comprise the President and thirty five Judges. Section 1(2) (b) of the National Industrial Court Act, 2006, provides that the court shall consist of not less than twelve Judges. 

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Litigation department

 The Litigation Department is made up of the Registry, Bailiff, Dispatch, Receiving Desk, Pending Cases, Archives and Appeals Sections. The functions of the Litigation Department include;

• Processes of all documents filed in court by litigants which are; Complaint or originating summons or interim application or interlocutory applications or ex parte motion or motion on notice or witness statement on oath or any other process.
• Transmitting processes filed to the nearest judicial division for necessary action,
• Issuing hearing notices to parties or their counsel as may be required, shall comply with the provisions of Order 7 and all the applicable provisions of the rules of this court.
• preparation of court processes and filing of same in the relevant/appropriate files for the judges’ attention and necessary action,
• Administration of oaths on litigants and witnesses in court,
• Processing of appeals,
• Preparation of record of proceedings and copies of judgments, etc.

Any officer who wrongly or mistakenly accepts any process which does not comply with the provisions of this rules on filing, such process shall be incompetent and shall not be used for the purpose for which it is intended

Cases that come to NICN

Relating to or connected with any labor, employment, trade unions, industrial relations and matters arising from workplace, the conditions of service, including health, safety, welfare of labor, employee, worker and matters incidental thereto or connected therewith.

Relating to or connected with disputes arising from any strike, lock-out or any industrial action, or any conduct in contemplation or in furtherance of a strike, lock-out, or any industrial action and matters connected therewith or related thereto;

Relating to or connected with disputes arising from payment or non-payment of salaries, wages, pensions, gratuities, allowances, benefits, and any other entitlement of any employee, worker, political or public office holder, judicial officer, or any civil or public servant in any part of the federation and matters incidental thereto and

Provisions of section 7(1)(a) and (b) of National Industrial Court Act 2006 namely matters relating

1. labor, including trade unions and industrial relations; and
2. Environment and conditions of work, health, safety and welfare of labor and matters incidental thereto

Any person or a representative of a trade union or employers’ organization who has a cause of action relating to labour, including trade union matters or industrial relations, can file it in court for determination.

Parties to a suit are permitted to introduce relevant evidence that will help to prove to the court the truth of their position. If the trial proceeds to a conclusion, the judge must decide which party prevails.

Once a decision is final, litigation ends. The prevailing party is then the authority to collect damages or receive other remedies from the losing party. After the losing party provides the relief, the party is entitled to receive from the prevailing party a satisfaction of judgement which is filed with the trial court. The document attests to the satisfaction of all court-imposed relief and signifies the end of the case.

 

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The Finance and Accounts department is made up of nine sections namely Funds; Central Pay Office; Recurrent Expenditure; Capital Expenditure, Checking; Salary; Sub-Account; Bank Reconciliation and Final Account Sections. The Department processes the monthly recurrent expenditure allocations received from the National Judicial Council to the various sub-heads of the vote book, ensures that the Court Account on capital expenditure with the Central Bank of Nigeria is credited with quarterly allocations, conducts checks and balances on all payment documents, prepares monthly salaries for payment to staff through their banks, verifies contract bills, claims and other payment documents; raises payment vouchers and issues cheques accordingly; renders monthly returns of the bank reconciliation, transcripts, returns of expenditure, revenue returns and other information required by the office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Auditor General of the Federation and the National Judicial Council.

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PROCUREMENT DEPARTMENT

THE PUBLIC Procurement Act of 2007 established in all MDAs Procurement Department with responsibility to perform procurement activities within an organization. It is on this premise that National industrial court of Nigeria set up the department to carry out its mandate in line with Procurement Act 2007.

STRUCTURE OF PROCUREMENT DEPARTMENT

In national Industrial Court of Nigeria, below is the structure of the Procurement Department.

1. Procurement Planning
2. Stock verification

• Market survey

FUNCTIONS OF PROCUREMENT DEPARTMENT

1. Secretariat of the Department Tenders Board;
2. Dealing with all matters on procurement

• Ensuring strict adherence to all extant regulations, procedures and provisions of the Procurement Act 2007;

1. Maintaining a periodic register of suppliers/ Contractors/ Services provider;
2. Responsible for all tender process;
3. Liaising with relevant agencies in matter relating to contract awards in respect to Procurement.

• Resolve complaints and disputes, if any.
• Execute all Contract Agreement.

1. Advertise and solicit for bids in Compliance with guidelines issued by the Bureau from time to time.

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BRIEF ACTIVITIES OF THE NATIONAL INDUSTIRAL COURT OF NIGERIA LIBRARY

 

The Library is an integral part of any organization and the management is doing a lot to keep up to date, however users can ask question where they do not understand. Non-lawyer of Court employee should not remain novice of the law environment but do everything possible to take advantage to update themselves from the enormous resources of the library as a special university for all and sundry.

There are several activities that we currently engage in the library department in order to add values to the services that we render for our Judges, lawyers and our entire teeming library users and some of those activities are as follows:-

• To provide information materials and resources relevant to thr needs of the NICN library to both staff and legal researchers.
• To provide information resources for recreation and personal self-development of our teeming clienteles;
• To provide and ensure security of materials resources and staff;
• To provide a conductive accommodation for study and research;
• To maintain inter-Library and institutional cooperation for improves resources base and information service delivery.

E-Library: In a bid to align the operations of the library to global best practices standard, such that at a fingertip we can have access to the book catalogues in an electronic format, and to give access to the library user’s to have a look of the books we have in store to make lending easy for all and for that reason we have embarked on the development of the application which will surely be ready soon. The expected software will make the library user’s comfort in accessing the robust content of our Labour law, Industrial Relations and Employment Law books from any location anywhere in the world. By this innovation each library users are expected to create their own log in, in-order to be able to access the library via the internet. It is also a platform of opportunity to showcase the content of our library to the rest of the world given that we are ICT driven age we in the library cannot afford to be left behind in the new trend of things.

Electronic Law Report: these are the Robust System Automated Law Report Databases like Electronic Law Pavilion, Legalpedia, Heinonline law Journal, Supreme Court online based resources currently available in the Library to aid fast track or quick legal/judicial searches without delay.

Bibliographic Services: emerging compilation of information access aids such as indexes or annotated bibliography.

Photocopy Service: we have readily available photocopy machines that can assiste users in making few or relevant copies of desired area of need researchers. This service is critical and essential to safe guide our books.

LIBRARY TARGET GOALS:

1. To make NICN library the best and enviable labour law library in Nigeria.
2. To build a user’s friendly 24/7 electronic law library.
3. To build the largest collections of labour law books ever! “both foreign and local”
4. To compete favorably with international best practices.
5. To build strong library institution that can provide access and assistance to informational needs of our users during and after working hours.
6. To build a strong library institution worthy of emulation as well as a reference point in the judicial sector and Nigeria as a whole.

SECTIONS IN THE LIBRARY:

1. Readers Service Section & Circulation
2. Technical Services & Collection Development
3. Serial Section
4. Reprographics Services.

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THE CLINIC OF THE NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL COURT OF NIGERIA

The Clinic of the noble court which has Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, Nurses, Laboratory Scientists, Senior Health Assistants, and other Health Workers was established to cater for the health needs of all the members of staff of the Court.

1. Treatment of all forms of ailments amongst the staff of the court.
2. Carry out diagnostic procedures.
3. Functions as advisory body on all health matters to the Court.
4. Counsels Staff on proper drugs use and other drugs related matters
5. Vaccination of staff members against diseases.
6. Organize Clinical meeting for Health Awareness Campaigns
7. Carry out every other Health functions as deemed fit by the Court.

It operates in eight (8) Divisions of the Court including Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Enugu, Ibadan, Akure and Jos respectively.

 

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MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE OF DUTY

The schedule and duties of Maintenance department involves Monitoring/ Inspection/ repair/ Preventive Maintenance and Salvaging of equipment and facilities of court.

The technical schedule includes: Electricial, Mechanical, Estate, Plumbing works and other services.

The Monitoring/ Inspection aspect involves:

• Supervision of Engineering/ Technical contract works.
• Detection of building defects.
• Monitoring of Court Facilities.
• Safety of Equipment and Facilities of Court.
• Advisory role on procurement of technical items.
• Advisory role on property matters.

The department is also saddled with the responsibility of executing repairs/ maintenance of plants, office equipment and facilities of the court.

Equally, the department carries out monitoring and settlement of bills: Electricity, Water, and Solid/Liquid waste, property and services charge.

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THE PLANNING, RESEARCH & STATISTICS DEPARTMENT: SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES

The Directorate of PRS, headed by a substantive Director and Deputy Director which is the repository base of the court's setting. It coordinate

The activities of the department and other relative events by formulating and implementing policies and programs aimed at achieving the

Court’s mandate for the overall development of standardization and quality assurance in the court, in a systematic, integrated and coordinated manner.

The directorate's quality objectives is stated as follows:

PLANNING SECTION

• Preparation of Annual Budget/Rolling plan in collaboration with relevant departments {Finance/Account, Admin, Litigation, Procurement, Maintenance, and Medical Service.}
• Regularly monitor, evaluate and coordinate the implementation of the work plan in the court.
• Liase with relevant departments sections and units to effect monthly, quarterly and annual developing work plan in the court.
• Providing secretariat for senior top management meetings and appraisal of documents and correspondent.
• Covering Chief registrar's tours and meetings.

RESEARCH AND STATISTICS SECTION

This section is in-charge of records of the court. It is made up of Statistics, Research and Documentation.

The section performs the following roles:

• To produce, process, store and disseminate accurate timely information and reliable court operational data.
• Undertake and Coordinate research programs on the acquisition, deployment and rational use of standardization, quality assurance, conformity assessment and methodological activities.
• Compile and disseminate relevant data to different departments, sections, units as demanded. Such as:
  • Central Nominal Roll
  • Nominal Roll by Cadre
  • Nominal Roll by Division/State
  • Staff List
  • Nominal Roll for Judges
  • FJSC Returns (Quarterly)
  • Federal Character Quarterly Returns
  • Phone Directory for Division and Registry

• To provide a framework for socio- economic research relating to monitoring and evaluation.
• Management of public relations
• Management of records.

ICT SECTION:

Information Communication Technology (ICT)

Services section was established in PRS department of the court to specifically drive the delivery of innovative technology solutions and support services towards ensuring that all departments within the NICN, are able to access ICT resources to optimize their respective functions.

• Provide a sustainable enterprise - wide information within and outside the court.
• Provide maintenance services on all Hardware, Software
• Maintain and update the court's website and provide unhindered connectivity and access to the court's available information
• Ensure the confidentiality, integrity and accountability of the court's information.
• Offer technical support to Departmental, Sections and Units, and individual users.
• Advice the management at all level on the need for constant update of ICT infrastructure.
• Support other Service-wide projects that share or collaborate information process with the court.
• Supervise the implementation of ICT projects for the Court.
• Develop applications, programs that would facilitate, enhance and simplify the Court/Administrative activities.

 

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The internal audit in a public sector organization plays a crucial role in ensuring transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the organization's operations. Here are some key functions and roles of the internal auditing unit in a public sector organization:

1. Risk Management: Internal auditors assess and identify risks within the organization. They evaluate the effectiveness of risk management processes and recommend improvements to mitigate potential risks.
2. Financial Control and Accountability: Internal auditors review financial systems and controls to ensure that resources are used efficiently and in accordance with laws and regulations. They help in preventing fraud, waste, and mismanagement of funds.
3. Compliance: Internal auditors ensure that the organization adheres to laws, regulations, and policies. They conduct regular reviews to verify compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, as well as internal policies and procedures.
4. Operational Efficiency: Internal auditors assess the efficiency and effectiveness of the organization's operations. They identify areas for improvement and recommend changes to enhance productivity and achieve organizational objectives.
5. Governance: Internal auditors evaluate the governance structure of the organization, including the effectiveness of the board and management in providing oversight and direction.
6. Quality Assurance: They review and assess the quality of internal controls, financial reporting, and management information systems. This helps in ensuring the reliability of financial information and other critical data.
7. Fraud Prevention and Detection: Internal auditors play a role in preventing and detecting fraud within the organization. They assess the adequacy of fraud prevention measures and investigate suspicious activities.
8. Information Systems Audit: With the increasing reliance on technology, internal auditors also evaluate the effectiveness of information systems controls to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data.
9. Continuous Improvement: Internal auditors work towards promoting a culture of continuous improvement within the organization. They provide recommendations for enhancing processes, controls, and overall organizational performance.
10. Reporting and Communication: Internal auditors communicate their findings and recommendations to management and, in some cases, to external stakeholders. This helps in fostering transparency and accountability.

In summary, the internal auditing unit in a public sector organization plays a vital role in safeguarding the organization's assets, ensuring compliance with regulations, and promoting effective and efficient operations. It serves as an independent and objective assurance function that contributes to the overall governance and success of the organization.

 

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