Court Orders FCT Workers to Suspend Strike Pending Case Resolution
The National Industrial Court of Nigeria in Abuja has ordered workers under the Joint Union Action Committee to suspend their ongoing strike, following an interlocutory injunction filed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the FCT Administration.
The suit, filed against the Chairman of the Joint Union Action Committee, Rifkatu Iortyer, and its Secretary, Abdullahi Umar Saleh, under case number NICN/ABJ/17/2026, sought to restrain the defendants and their members from engaging in any industrial action, picketing, or lockout.
Delivering his ruling on Tuesday, Justice E.D. Subilim recognized that the matter qualified as a trade dispute and met the required legal conditions but emphasized that the right to strike is not absolute.
He directed that workers must halt any strike action once a dispute is brought before the National Industrial Court. Any ongoing strike must cease until the court delivers a final judgment.
“An order of interlocutory injunction is hereby granted, restraining the defendants and their representatives from further embarking on any industrial action against the claimants. This order shall remain in effect pending the determination of the suit,” Justice Subilim stated.
