The National Industrial Court has ordered workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to immediately suspend their ongoing strike, pending the hearing and determination of a suit before the court.
The order was issued by Justice Emmanuel Subilim following an application filed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, seeking to compel the striking workers to return to work.
In the suit, the FCT Minister named the President and Secretary of the Joint Union Action Congress (JUAC) as respondents. Justice Subilim ruled that once an industrial dispute is referred to the National Industrial Court, all forms of industrial action, including strikes, must be halted.
Relying on Section 18(1)(e) of the Trade Disputes Act, the judge explained that the suspension of industrial action allows the court to properly and lawfully resolve the dispute.
He noted that the filing of an originating summons constitutes a formal referral of the dispute to the court, thereby triggering the mandatory suspension of any strike.
Justice Subilim warned that failure to comply with the provisions of Section 18 of the Act could attract sanctions. He further stressed that the public interest in maintaining industrial harmony outweighs any inconvenience that may result from suspending the strike.
The matter has been adjourned to March 25, 2026, for hearing.
The industrial action began on January 19, when workers of the FCTA and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) shut down activities across Abuja over what they described as unmet demands by the Federal Government.
The strike disrupted operations across all FCTA secretariats, departments, agencies, area councils, and parastatals.
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