The National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Abuja division, has ordered Federal Capital Territory workers to suspend their ongoing strike, following an application by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike.
Justice Emmanuel Subilim directed that the industrial action be halted pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit filed by Wike, who had asked the court to compel striking workers under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to return to work.
The minister had brought the President and Secretary of the Joint Union Action Congress (JUAC) before the court over the strike, which had paralyzed public services in Abuja for more than a week. In his ruling, Justice Subilim cited Section 18(1)(e) of the Trade Disputes Act, which requires suspension of strikes once a dispute is referred to the National Industrial Court until resolution.
The judge warned that failure to comply could attract sanctions, noting that maintaining industrial peace serves the public interest. The matter was adjourned to March 25 for further hearing.
Following the ruling, Wike approved 12 billion naira for the payment of January salaries for FCTA workers and urged striking staff to resume work or face penalties.
Speaking to journalists after the judgment, Wike stressed that the rule of law must prevail and accused political actors of hijacking the strike for motives unrelated to workers’ welfare. He said the administration had already addressed many demands while describing some others as “frivolous and outside legitimate entitlements.”
“This is a democracy, and everyone has the right to protest. But strike action should always be the last option,” Wike said.
