The Federal Capital Territory FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, and the administration’s workforce reached a legal flashpoint on Thursday, as the FCT Administration successfully moved to disarm the labor unions through the judiciary.
The National Industrial Court (NICN) in Abuja issued a decisive Order of Interlocutory Injunction, thereby prohibiting the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC) from continuing its indefinite strike, which threatened to paralyze the capital’s administrative machinery.
After a week of rising tensions over unpaid promotion arrears and statutory entitlements, Justice E. D. Subilim approved the FCTA’s suit to prevent the union from taking further industrial action.
Picketing, lockouts, road blockades, and any other activity that aims to disrupt government operations are specifically prohibited by the order.
The FCTA’s legal team, led by Dr. Ogwu Onoja, SAN, claimed that the strike was not only paralyzing but also fundamentally illegal.
In a strategic move, the FCTA is also contesting the legality of its opponents, namely whether JUAC—an umbrella body—has the legal standing of a registered trade union under the Trade Disputes Act.
The defendants, JUAC president Rifkatu Iortyer and Secretary Abdullahi Umar Saleh, were noticeably missing during the proceedings.
As a result, Justice Subilim ordered “substituted service,” directing that the court summons be posted at the JUAC office in the Area 11 Secretariat and published in a national publication to prevent the union from claiming ignorance of the law.
