The National Industrial Court Of Nigeria (NICN), Sitting In Abuja

The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), sitting in Abuja, has ordered workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to immediately suspend their ongoing strike, granting an interlocutory injunction against further industrial action until the substantive case before the court is finally determined ending the strike in its current form. Presiding Judge: Justice Emmanuel E.D. Subilim delivered the ruling on Tuesday in the suit marked NICN/ABJ/17/2026, filed by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, on behalf of the FCTA.
Injunction Granted: The court held that once a labour dispute has been formally referred to the National Industrial Court, any associated industrial action, including strikes, must cease while the case is pending. Justice Subilim granted an interlocutory injunction restraining the named workers, their representatives, and agents from continuing any industrial action against the FCTA.
“An order of interlocutory injunction is hereby granted, restraining the claimants and representatives from further embarking on any industrial action… The order shall remain in force, pending the determination of this suit,” the judge ruled.
Claimants: Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, and the Federal Capital Territory Administration
The Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC), including its Chairman, Rifkatu Iortyer, and its Secretary, Abdullahi Umar Saleh.
The matter has been adjourned for the hearing of the substantive suit. Pending that hearing, the injunction remains in force, meaning the strike action must stay suspended until the court fully determines the case. FCTA workers organised under JUAC had embarked on an indefinite strike last week to press long‑standing labour and welfare demands. Reported grievances included issues such as unpaid entitlements, promotion arrears, and concerns about working conditions. The strike had shut down major government offices and services across Abuja, including operations at the FCTA Secretariat and other public agencies, prompting significant disruptions to public service delivery. Justice Subilim emphasised that while workers have a constitutional right to industrial action, this right is not absolute. Once a labour dispute is before the court, continuing a strike may circumvent legal due process and the court’s authority to resolve the dispute. The judge reinforced that Section 18 of the Trade Dispute Act requires parties to respect judicial referral and proceedings.
While the court has ordered a suspension of the strike under legal injunction, some FCTA workers have indicated their intention to remain at home and not immediately resume duties, highlighting ongoing tensions between the unions and the FCTA authorities over unresolved issues.
Union leaders supported in parts by labour groups like the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have previously vowed to continue protests, maintaining that their welfare concerns remain unresolved despite official responses. Industrial Peace: The court ruling aims to restore order and continuity in public services within the Federal Capital Territory by legally restraining disruptive industrial action while the dispute is adjudicated. Legal Precedent: The case reiterates the legal principle that labour disputes referred to the National Industrial Court should not continue unabated through strikes, ensuring disputes are resolved through due judicial process Public Service Impact: The injunction seeks to balance the rights of workers with the need to maintain essential government functions and services for residents and citizens.