…Minister of the FCT, and the FCT Administration had filed an ex-parte application against NLC, TUC and their officials.
Abuja, Nigeria – The iNews Times, the National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja has restrained the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and three labour leaders from embarking on any form of industrial action or protest within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Justice Emmanuel Danjuma Sibilim issued the interim order on Monday, barring the unions and their leaders Comrades Benson Upah, General N.A. Toro, and Stephen Knabayi from proceeding with the planned action pending the determination of a motion on notice.
The order followed an ex-parte application filed by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, and the FCT Administration (FCTA) against the labour unions and their officials. The application, dated February 2, was brought pursuant to Suit No: NICN/ABJ/30/26 and filed by Dr. Ogwu James Onoja (SAN) on behalf of the Claimants.
After hearing the Claimants, Justice Sibilim restrained the 1st to 5th respondents, including their agents and privies, from embarking on any strike or protest action within the FCT.
The court further directed the 5th to 9th defendants, comprising security agencies, to ensure the maintenance of law and order across the nation’s capital.
In their submissions, the Claimants told the court that the Chairman of the FCT Council of Labour Unions had circulated a mobilization message to union members and affiliates for a mass protest scheduled for February 3, an action they said violated existing court orders.
They disclosed that following an earlier ruling delivered on January 27, the court’s order was duly served on the defendants the same day. However, despite the service, the NLC and TUC allegedly issued a joint statement directing all affiliated unions to intensify and sustain the strike.
The joint statement, signed by both unions, instructed workers to resume the strike, citing that their counsel, Femi Falana (SAN), had filed an appeal against the interlocutory ruling. Subsequently, the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC) reportedly issued a circular directing workers to continue the industrial action.
According to the Claimants, the actions of the unions were calculated to trigger a breakdown of law and order in the Federal Capital Territory.
Justice Sibilim has adjourned the matter to February 10 for the hearing of the motion on notice.
In a detailed affidavit, the FCT Minister and the FCTA stated that the application was necessitated by events which began on January 19, 2026, when workers under the aegis of JUAC commenced an industrial action by locking entrances to FCTA offices, schools, departments, and agencies, effectively paralyzing government activities in the territory.
They added that in response, they approached the National Industrial Court in Suit No: NICN/ABJ/17/2026 – FCT Minister & Anor v. Rifkatu Iortyer & Anor, where the court on January 27, 2026, granted an interlocutory injunction restraining JUAC and its affiliates from further strike action and ordered a resumption of work pending the substantive suit.
Despite the order, the Claimants alleged that fresh directives were issued by labour leaders urging workers to disregard the court order and resume industrial action, culminating in a call for a mass protest in Abuja on February 3, 2026.
They expressed fears that the planned protest could lead to lawlessness, obstruction of vehicular movement, and infringement on the rights of residents, private sector operators, expatriates, and tourists, prompting their recourse to judicial intervention.
