The National Industrial Court has ordered workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration to immediately suspend their ongoing industrial action pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit before the court.
Justice Emmanuel Subilim issued the order after considering an application filed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who asked the court to compel striking workers to return to duty.
In the suit, the minister listed the President and Secretary of the Joint Union Action Congress as respondents, following the shutdown of several government offices across Abuja due to the strike.
The court held that once a trade dispute is formally referred to the National Industrial Court, all forms of industrial action must be suspended in line with the provisions of the Trade Dispute Act.
Justice Subilim cited Section 18(1)(e) of the Act, noting that the filing of an originating summons amounts to a referral of the dispute and automatically requires striking workers to halt any ongoing action.
He warned that failure to comply with the provisions of the law could attract sanctions, stressing that the need to maintain industrial peace and protect public interest outweighs any inconvenience caused by suspending the strike.
The judge subsequently adjourned the matter to March 25, 2026, for substantive hearing.
The industrial action began on January 19 when workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration and the Federal Capital Development Authority downed tools over what they described as unmet demands by the Federal Government.
The strike disrupted activities across FCTA secretariats, departments, agencies, area councils, and parastatals, effectively grounding public services within the nation’s capital.
The court’s ruling is expected to restore operations across Abuja as the legal process continues.
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