The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), Abuja, is set to deliver its ruling today (Tuesday) on a suit filed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the FCT Administration against leaders of the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC).
Justice E.D. Subilim fixed January 27 for the ruling after hearing arguments from counsel representing both sides.
In the suit marked NICN/ABJ/17/2026, the claimants are seeking an interlocutory injunction restraining the JUAC Chairman, Rifkatu Iortyer, and the Secretary, Abdullahi Umar Saleh, along with their agents, from embarking on any industrial action, picketing, or lockout.
The strike, which began last Monday following the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum, has disrupted activities across major FCTA offices in Abuja, including the FCTA Secretariat, where security personnel were deployed to restrict access.
While FCTA management claimed that most of the workers’ demands had been addressed, JUAC rejected the assertion, maintaining that key issues remain unresolved.
At Monday’s hearing, counsel for the workers, Maxwell Opara, urged the court to dismiss the motion, arguing that granting the reliefs sought would amount to determining the substantive suit at an interlocutory stage. He cited the Supreme Court’s decision in Opara Agwu & Anor v. Julius Berger Plc, warning that compelling workers to resume duties while salaries remained unpaid could have serious consequences. Opara also called for arbitration, urging the court to compel the FCT minister to participate in mediation.
Justice Subilim thereafter adjourned the matter for ruling today.
Speaking to journalists after the proceedings, counsel for the claimants, James Onoja (SAN), argued that JUAC lacked juristic personality, describing it as an illegal body not recognised under either the Companies and Allied Matters Act or the Trade Union Act.
“JUAC is not registered under the Trade Union Act, and because of that, it cannot call a strike. This strike is illegal,” Onoja said, adding that due process was not followed before the industrial action was declared.
In response, Opara said the union had written no fewer than 11 letters to the minister outlining its grievances and seeking mediation. He accused the FCT minister of using the court process to intimidate workers rather than engage in dialogue.
“If you call off the strike, do you want angry and hungry workers to resume work? That is even more dangerous,” he said.
Opara also explained that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) were joined in the suit because JUAC operates under their umbrella, noting that both labour centres had issued directives supporting a solidarity strike.
Workers Picket Court
Meanwhile, workers of the FCT Administration and the Federal Capital Development Agency, backed by the NLC, picketed the Industrial Court premises ahead of Monday’s hearing, demanding the removal of the FCT minister.
The NLC, which has declared its support for the strike, described the action as justified, accusing the FCTA management of persistent violations of workers’ rights, wage abuse, intimidation, and failure to meet statutory obligations.
Protesters displayed placards with messages such as “Wike must go!”, “Pay promotion arrears”, “Pay us our pension now”, “Respect Civil Service rules”, and “Enough is enough.”
Other unions, including the Nigerian Union of Teachers, the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, the National Union of Electricity Employees, and the Nigeria Union of Journalists, FCT chapter, have also joined the strike.
