By Our Reporter
The National Industrial Court has ordered workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to suspend their ongoing strike pending the hearing and determination of a suit before the court.
Justice Emmanuel Subilim gave the order following an application filed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, seeking a directive compelling the striking workers to return to work.
In the suit, the FCT Minister listed the President and Secretary of the Joint Union Action Congress (JUAC) as respondents.
Delivering the ruling, Justice Subilim held that industrial actions, including strikes, must be suspended once a trade dispute is referred to the National Industrial Court. He cited Section 18(1)(e) of the Trade Disputes Act, noting that the filing of an originating summons amounts to a formal referral of the dispute.
The judge warned that failure to comply with the provisions of the Act could attract sanctions, stressing that the public interest in maintaining industrial peace outweighs any inconvenience caused by suspending the strike.
The case was adjourned to March 25, 2026, for hearing.
FCTA and Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) workers had commenced the industrial action on January 19, shutting down operations 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.