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NATIONAL UNION OF HOTELS AND PERSONAL SERVICE WORKERS. AND 1. HOTEL DIPLOMAT LIMITED 2. AREFROZ (NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL COURT) HON. JUSTICE M.A. BORISADE PRESIDENT AMBASSADOR M.S. SALEH MEMBER CHIEF M.G DABIBI MEMBER PROF. B.B. KANYIP MEMBER MRS. V.N. OKOBI MEMBER SUIT NO: NIC/8/2001 DATE OF RULING MARCH 27, 2002 LABOUR LAW Collective Agreement - Interpretation of -Exclusive jurisdiction of National Industrial Court over same - Section 15, Trade Disputes Act. NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL COURT Collective Agreement - Interpretation of - Exclusive jurisdiction of National Industrial Court over same - Section 15, Trade Disputes Act. ISSUE Whether the application for a stay of proceedings of the instant suit pending the determination of Suit No. W130/200 1 between Hotel Diplomat Limited v. Nwajei and two others ought to succeed in the circumstances of the case. FACTS The Applicant union, by way of a motion on notice, sought among other things, the interpretation by the National Industrial Court of certain collective agreements. Before the hearing of the application, the Respondent filed a motion on notice wherein it prayed the court for an order of stay of proceedings in the suit pending the determination of Suit No.W/30/2001 between Hotel Diplomat Limited V. Nwajei and two others, which was pending before the High Court, Warn. The court thereafter heard the submissions of both counsel to the parties on the motion for stay of proceedings. Held: (Dismissing the application): On Exclusive jurisdiction of National Industrial Court to interpret collective agreement Section 15 of the Trade Disputes Act, Cap.432, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990 gives the National Industrial Court exclusive jurisdiction as to the interpretation of any collective agreement.