The National Industrial Court in Abuja is set to rule on an application seeking to stop the ongoing strike by workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA). Justice Emmanuel Subilim fixes Tuesday, January 27, for the ruling after hearing arguments from both parties in the case.
The suit is filed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who asks the court to compel striking workers to return to duty over concerns that the action is disrupting essential services in the nation’s capital, Mediaplusng.com reports. The workers embark on the strike over unresolved welfare issues, including five months of unpaid salaries, outstanding promotion arrears, and poor working conditions.
The minister brings the action against the President and Secretary of the Joint Union Action Congress (JUAC), naming them as respondents. He argues that the continued strike is illegal and detrimental to public interest, especially as government offices, schools, and health facilities remain affected.
During proceedings, counsel to the respondents, Maxwell Okpara, urges the court to join the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) as parties to the suit. He argues that adding the two labour centres will make any court order binding on organised labour nationwide, Mediaplusng.com reports.
However, counsel to the FCT Minister, James Onoja (SAN), strongly opposes the request. He maintains that the suit is properly constituted and targeted at individuals who are not registered trade unions under the Trade Union Act. According to him, the court should not compel the claimants to add parties they did not choose to sue.
Onoja further asks the court to grant an order directing the striking workers to immediately resume work. He tells the court that the industrial action has crippled key services in Abuja, affecting governance, security coordination, and public service delivery across the FCT.
In his response, Justice Subilim holds that the court cannot force additional parties into the case when the claimant clearly defines the respondents. He states that the duty of the court is to determine the dispute as presented, not to restructure the claimant’s case.
Court documents list the Minister of the FCT and the Federal Capital Territory Administration as claimants, while Rifkatu Iortyer and Abdullahi Saleh are named as defendants. The judge notes that the legal issues before the court are narrow and focused on whether the strike should continue.
Justice Subilim subsequently adjourns the matter to January 27 for ruling on the application seeking to restrain the FCTA workers from continuing the strike. The decision is expected to determine the immediate future of the industrial action.
The ruling is widely anticipated, as it may shape labour-government relations in the FCT and influence how welfare disputes involving public sector workers are handled going forward. Many residents and stakeholders await the outcome due to the strike’s impact on daily life and public administration in Abuja.
