BREAKING : Court Orders FCT Workers To Suspend Strike, As Talks Continue

The National Industrial Court of Nigeria, sitting in Abuja, has granted an interlocutory injunction filed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the FCT Administration, compelling workers under the Joint Union Action Committee to suspend the ongoing strike.

The claimants had dragged the Chairman of the Joint Union Action Committee, Rifkatu Iortyer, and its Secretary, Abdullahi Umar Saleh, before the court in Suit No. NICN/ABJ/17/2026, seeking an order restraining the defendants and their agents from embarking on any industrial action, or lockout.

Delivering his ruling on Tuesday, Justice E.D. Subilim held that although the matter before the court amounted to a trade dispute and had met the required legal conditions, the defendants’ right to embark on industrial action was not absolute.

He ruled that workers were prohibited from participating in a strike once a dispute had been referred to the National Industrial Court, adding that where such a strike was already ongoing, it must cease pending the determination of the case.

“An order of interlocutory injunction is hereby granted, restraining the defendants and their representatives from further embarking on any industrial action against the claimants. The order shall remain in force pending the determination of this suit,” Justice Subilim said.

He therefore directed the workers to resume their duties pending the outcome of ongoing negotiations between the government and labour representatives.

The court also encouraged both parties to explore dialogue and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to amicably settle the welfare issues that led to the strike.

The workers had embarked on the industrial action over alleged unresolved welfare matters, including unpaid salaries, outstanding promotion arrears, and poor working conditions.

Meanwhile, representatives of the Joint Union Action Congress (JUAC), as well as leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), are expected to continue negotiations with the FCTA for resolution to the crisis.

The court adjourned the matter to March 23rd 2026 for a report on the progress of negotiations.

Remi Johnson, Edited By Grace Namiji