The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), in Abuja, has ordered workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to immediately suspend their ongoing strike.
It granted an interlocutory injunction sought by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Nyesom Wike, and the FCT Administration against the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC).
The FCT Minister and the Administration, had in the suit marked NICN/ABJ/17/2026, dragged the JUAC Chairman, Rifkatu Iortyer, and Secretary, Abdullahi Umar Saleh, before the court, asking for an order restraining the union and its members from embarking on industrial action, picketing or lockout.
In his ruling on Tuesday, Justice E.D. Subilim held that while the matter constituted a trade dispute and met the necessary legal requirements, the right of workers to embark on a strike was not absolute under the law.
He maintained that once a dispute has been referred to the National Industrial Court, workers are barred from embarking on or continuing any industrial action 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. This order shall remain in force pending the determination of this suit,” Justice Subilim ruled.
