Nigeria’s National Industrial Court in Abuja is set to rule Tuesday on a suit filed by Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and the FCT Administration against leaders of the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC), as striking workers press demands that include Wike’s removal.
Justice E.D. Subilim fixed the ruling after hearing arguments from lawyers representing both sides.
The claimants are seeking an interlocutory injunction to restrain the JUAC chairman, Rifkatu Iortyer, and secretary, Abdullahi Umar Saleh, from embarking on industrial action, picketing or a lockout. The case is marked NICN/ABJ/17/2026.
The strike, which began last Monday following the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum, has disrupted operations across major FCT Administration offices in Abuja. Activities at the FCTA Secretariat were particularly affected, with security operatives deployed to restrict access.
FCTA management has said most of the workers’ demands have been addressed, a claim the union rejects, insisting that key issues remain unresolved.
At Monday’s hearing, counsel for the workers’ union, Maxwell Opara, urged the court to dismiss the motion, arguing that granting the reliefs sought would amount to deciding the substantive case at an interlocutory stage.
Opara cited a Supreme Court decision in Opara Agwu & Anor v. Julius Berger Plc, warning that ordering workers to resume duties while outstanding salaries remained unpaid could be risky. He also asked the court to consider arbitration and compel the FCT minister to participate.
