The National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja has ordered workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to suspend their ongoing strike, following an application filed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The court issued an interlocutory injunction on Thursday, restraining leaders and members of the FCTA workers’ unions from embarking on strike actions, protests, or any activity capable of disrupting the operations of the FCT Administration.
The ruling comes on the heels of an indefinite strike declared on Monday by workers operating under the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC). The workers had downed tools to protest the non-payment of promotion arrears and other outstanding entitlements.
Justice E. D. Subilim granted the application after hearing arguments from counsel to the FCTA and the FCT Minister. The legal team, led by Dr. Ogwu J. Onoja, SAN, told the court that the strike was unlawful and posed a serious threat to the smooth running of government activities in the nation’s capital.
JUAC’s president, Rifkatu Iortyer, and secretary, Abdullahi Umar Saleh, who are listed as defendants in the suit, were absent from the court proceedings.
In his ruling, Justice Subilim held that the applicants had shown sufficient grounds for the court to intervene. He consequently barred the union, its officials, and members from striking, picketing, blocking roads, locking offices, or engaging in any action that could cripple FCTA operations.
Given the absence of the defendants, the court also granted permission for substituted service of court processes.
The matter was adjourned to Monday, January 26, 2026, for the hearing of the substantive motion on notice.