January 23, (THEWILL) — The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), sitting in Abuja, has issued an interlocutory injunction restraining leaders of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) workers’ union, their agents and members from embarking on strikes, picketing, road blockades, or any action capable of disrupting the activities of the administration.
The ruling followed an indefinite strike declared on Monday by workers under the aegis of the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) over the alleged non-payment of promotion arrears and other outstanding entitlements.
Justice E. D. Subilim, in a ruling delivered on Thursday, granted an application filed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and the FCTA, seeking to restrain the union from proceeding with the industrial action.
The defendants, identified as Rifkatu Iortyer and Abdullahi Umar Saleh, president and secretary of JUAC, respectively, were absent from court during the proceedings.
Arguing the application, counsel to the FCTA, Dr Ogwu J. Onoja, SAN, contended that the strike was illegal and would cripple the operations of the administration, to the detriment of residents of the Federal Capital Territory.
In his ruling, Justice Subilim held that the applicants had established a prima facie case warranting judicial intervention and consequently granted the interlocutory injunction restraining the union and its members from any action capable of shutting down FCTA activities.
Owing to the absence of the defendants, the court also approved substituted service of court processes on them.
The matter was adjourned to Monday, January 26, 2026, for the hearing of the motion on notice.
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