By Stanley Onyekwere
The National Industrial Court of Nigeria has ordered civil servants in the Federal Capital Territory Administration(FCTA) to immediately suspend their ongoing strike and return to their duties.
In a ruling delivered on Tuesday, Justice E.D. Subilim granted an interlocutory injunction in suit NICN/ABJ/17/2026, filed by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, and the FCT Administration.
The legal action was directed at the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC), specifically naming Chairman Rifkatu Iortyer and Secretary Abdullahi Umar Saleh as defendants.
While acknowledging that the conflict constitutes a legitimate trade dispute, Justice Subilim emphasized that the right to strike is not absolute.
He clarified that once a labour dispute is officially referred to the National Industrial Court, workers are legally prohibited from continuing industrial action.
“An order of interlocutory injunction is hereby granted, restraining the claimants and representatives… from further embarking on any industrial action.
“The order shall remain in force pending the determination of this suit”, Justice Subilim stated.
The court has scheduled March 23, 2026, for the hearing of the substantive suit.
Consequently, workers are expected to comply with the directive to avoid contempt of court as the FCT Administration seeks a permanent resolution to the labor rift.
