By Sofiat Adenekan-Abdul
The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), sitting in Abuja, has ordered workers of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to suspend their ongoing strike.
The court granted an interlocutory injunction filed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, alongside the FCT Administration, against the Joint Union Action Committee.
The suit, marked NICN/ABJ/17/2026, was filed against the Chairman of the Joint Union Action Committee, Rifkatu Iortyer, and its Secretary, Abdullahi Umar Saleh.
The claimants sought an order restraining the union from embarking on any form of industrial action, including strikes, picketing, or lockouts.
Delivering his ruling on Tuesday, Justice E.D. Subilim held that although the dispute qualified as a trade dispute under the law, the workers’ right to strike was not absolute.
The judge ruled that once a dispute is referred to the National Industrial Court, workers are legally prohibited from continuing any strike action.
He added that where a strike is already ongoing, it must be suspended 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 claimant. This order shall remain in force pending the determination of this suit,” Justice Subilim stated.
The court adjourned the matter to March 23, 2026, for the hearing of the substantive suit.
