Photo: FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike
By Deborah Nnamdi
Justice Emmanuel Subilim of the National Industrial Court has ordered workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration to suspend their ongoing industrial action pending the hearing and determination of an originating summons before the court.
The order followed 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 minister listed the President and Secretary of the Joint Union Action Congress as respondents.
In his ruling, Justice Subilim held that once an industrial dispute is referred to the National Industrial Court, all forms of industrial action, including strikes, must be suspended. He cited Section 18(1)(e) of the Trade Dispute Act, noting that the law requires a halt to strikes upon the commencement of a suit by originating summons, which constitutes a formal referral of the dispute to the court.
The judge warned that failure to comply with the provisions of Section 18 of the Act could attract sanctions, stressing that the public interest in preserving industrial peace outweighs any inconvenience that may arise from suspending the strike.
The matter was adjourned to March 25, 2026, for hearing.
Workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration and the Federal Capital Development Authority had embarked on the industrial action on January 19, shutting down activities across Abuja over what they described as unmet demands by the Federal Government. The strike affected all FCTA secretariats, departments, agencies, area councils, and parastatals.
