The National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Abuja, has scheduled today Tuesday January 27, for ruling on a strike suit filed by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the FCT Administration against leaders of the Joint Union Action Committee.
Justice E.D. Subilim heard arguments from the parties’ solicitors before adjourning the case.
In suit number NICN/ABJ/17/2026, the claimants brought JUAC Chairman Rifkatu Iortyer and Secretary Abdullahi Umar Saleh before the court to request an interlocutory order prohibiting the defendants and their representatives from engaging in any form of lockout, picketing, or industrial action.
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Major FCTA offices in Abuja have been immobilised by the ongoing strike, which started last Monday following the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum. Security personnel have been stationed at the FCTA Secretariat to prevent entry.
The JUAC rejected the FCTA management’s claims that the majority of the workers’ requests had been satisfied, maintaining that fundamental problems remained unsolved.
Maxwell Opara, the workers’ union’s lawyer, asked the court to reject the application during Monday’s hearing, claiming that the relief requested would equate to deciding the substantive complaint at the interlocutory stage.
Justice Subilim subsequently adjourned the matter until January 27 for ruling.
James Onoja (SAN), the claimants’ lawyer, informed reporters after the court proceedings that the defendants lacked “juristic personality” and that the union was an illegal organisation since it was not recognised by the Companies and Allied Matters Act or the Trade Union Act.
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According to Opara, the union had sent the minister eleven letters detailing its complaints and requesting mediation, claiming that the issue ought to have been sent to alternative dispute resolution.
Workers Picket Court
Meanwhile, staff of the FCT Administration and the Federal Capital Development Agency, backed by the Nigeria Labour Congress, picketed the premises of the Industrial Court ahead of Monday’s proceedings, demanding the removal of the Minister of the FCT.
The NLC, which threw its support behind the industrial action and declared it appropriate in light of what it described as ongoing breaches of workers’ rights by the FCTA management and political leadership, issued a directive that prompted the strike.
Additionally, the labour union accused the FCTA of violating its legal commitments, intimidating employees, and abusing wages.
Protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as “Wike must go!”, “Abuja no be Rivers”, “Pay promotion arrears”, “Enough is enough”, “Pay us our pension now”, “Continued neglect of workers’ welfare”, “Respect Civil Service rules” and “No working tools”.
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