The National Industrial Court in Abuja has issued an order compelling workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration to immediately suspend their ongoing strike.
Justice E.D. Subilim granted an interlocutory injunction on Tuesday in a suit filed by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the FCTA against the leadership of the Joint Union Action Committee.
The court held that while workers have a right to industrial action, it is not absolute. Justice Subilim ruled that once a trade dispute has been referred to the court, any ongoing strike must cease pending the determination of the case.
“An order of interlocutory injunction is hereby granted, restraining the claimants and representatives… from further embarking on any industrial action against the claimant. The order shall remain in force, pending the determination of this suit,” the judge stated.
The court emphasized that allowing the strike to continue while the matter is before it amounts to a resort to self-help. It referenced Section 18(1)(b) of the Trade Dispute Act, which prohibits strikes over matters already submitted for judicial resolution.
The workers, under the Joint Union Action Committee, had embarked on the industrial action over unresolved welfare issues including alleged unpaid salaries, promotion arrears, and poor working conditions.
The defendants in the suit are JUAC Chairman Rifkatu Iortyer and Secretary Abdullahi Umar Saleh. The case has been adjourned until March 23, 2026, for the hearing of the substantive suit.
