The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), Abuja, has ordered workers of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to immediately suspend their ongoing strike, following an application filed by FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the FCT Administration (FCTA).
Justice E.D. Subilim granted an interlocutory injunction restraining the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) from continuing any form of industrial action, including strikes, picketing, or lockouts, pending the determination of the substantive suit.
The case, marked NICN/ABJ/17/2026, was instituted against the Chairman of JUAC, Rifkatu Iortyer, and the Secretary, Abdullahi Umar Saleh.
In his ruling delivered on Tuesday, Justice Subilim acknowledged that the dispute between the parties qualified as a trade dispute under Nigerian labour laws but stressed that the right of workers to strike is not absolute.
According to the judge, once a dispute is formally referred to the National Industrial Court, workers are legally barred from continuing any strike action.
He further ruled that where an industrial action has already commenced, it must be suspended pending the resolution of the case before the court.
“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 held.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter to March 23, 2026, for the hearing of the substantive suit.
The ruling effectively clears the way for the resumption of activities across FCT offices that had been disrupted by the strike.
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