Court Orders FCTA Workers to Suspend Strike

A national industrial court in Abuja has ordered workers on the payroll of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to suspend their ongoing strike.

Delivering a ruling on Tuesday, Emmanuel Subilim, presiding judge, held that although the matter before the court amounted to a trade dispute, the defendants’ right to embark on industrial action was not absolute.

He held that once a dispute has been referred to the national industrial 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,” Subilim ruled. 

“The order shall remain in force, pending the determination of this suit.”

FCTA workers began an indefinite strike last week over “authorities’ failure to address long-standing labour and welfare demands”.

The strike has led to the shutdown of activities across major government offices in Abuja.

Subsequently, Nyesom Wike, FCT minister, took the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC) to court over the industrial action.

The suit marked NICN/ABJ/17/2026 was filed at the Abuja division of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN).

In the application, the minister and the FCTA are seeking an order restraining the unions and their agents from picketing, blocking roads, shutting offices, or engaging in any action capable of disrupting the activities of the FCT administration, its departmental heads, or political appointees.

They accused the unions of obstructing access to government offices and paralysing the smooth running of the administration.

The court adjourned hearing of the substantive suit to March 23.