The National Industrial Court of Nigeria in Abuja has ordered workers under the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) to suspend their ongoing strike.
The injunction was granted following a suit filed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and the FCT Administration. The claimants sought to restrain JUAC leaders from embarking on any industrial action, picketing, or lockout.
The defendants named in the case, registered as NICN/ABJ/17/2026, are the JUAC Chairman, Rifkatu Iortyer, and Secretary, Abdullahi Umar Saleh.
Delivering the ruling on Tuesday, Justice E.D. Subilim noted that while the matter qualifies as a trade dispute, the right to strike is not absolute once a dispute has been referred to the National Industrial Court.
The judge emphasized that any ongoing industrial action must cease pending the court’s determination of the case, explaining that injunctions are legally supported in such circumstances.
“An order of interlocutory injunction is hereby granted, restraining the claimants and representatives… from further embarking on any industrial action against the claimant. The order shall remain in force pending the determination of this suit,” Justice Subilim said.
The ruling effectively bars JUAC members from continuing the strike until the substantive suit is resolved.
The court has adjourned the matter to March 23, 2026, for the hearing of the main case.
The development comes amid ongoing tensions between the FCT Administration and workers, who have raised various grievances prompting the strike action.
Further details on the case and its implications for FCT workers and service delivery are expected as the matter progresses in court.