The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), Abuja, has granted an interlocutory injunction restraining workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) from embarking on any strike action or protest capable of disrupting the activities of the administration.
The order followed an indefinite strike commenced on Monday by workers under the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) over the alleged non-payment of promotion arrears and other outstanding entitlements.
Justice E. D. Subilim issued the ruling on Thursday after considering an application filed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, alongside the FCTA. The application sought to halt the strike, which the administration argued would paralyse essential government operations within the territory.
In court, the defendants — Rifkatu Iortyer and Abdullahi Umar Saleh, identified as the president and secretary of JUAC respectively — were absent. Despite their absence, the FCTA’s legal team, led by Dr. Ogwu J. Onoja, SAN, urged the court to intervene, describing the industrial action as illegal and harmful to public administration.
Justice Subilim held that the applicants had successfully established a case warranting urgent judicial intervention. Consequently, the court granted an injunction restraining the union, its leaders, agents, and members from embarking on strike actions, picketing, blocking roads, locking offices, or engaging in any conduct that could cripple the operations of the FCTA.
Due to the non-appearance of the defendants, the court also approved substituted service of all legal processes on them, ensuring that they are formally notified of the proceedings.
The matter has been adjourned to Monday, January 26, 2026, for the hearing of the motion on notice.
The ruling effectively puts a temporary stop to the ongoing industrial action while the court considers the substantive issues surrounding the dispute between the FCTA and its workers.
