The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) in Abuja to challenge the ongoing strike embarked upon by workers under the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC) of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
The claimants in the suit marked NICN/ABJ/17/2026 are the FCT minister and the FCTA.The suit is slated for hearing on Monday.
THE WHISTLER reports that the indefinite strike, which began earlier this week, was triggered by what the workers described as the “authorities’ failure to address long-standing labour and welfare demands”.
The strike further led to the shutdown of activities across major government offices in Abuja.
According to court documents, the defendants are the President of JUAC, Rifkatu Iortyer,and secretary-general of the union, Abdullahi Saleh, sued in their representative capacities while the case is being presided over by Justice Emmanuel Subilim, of the National Industrial Court.
In the application, the minister and the FCTA are seeking an order restraining the unions and their agents from picketing, blocking roads, shutting offices, or engaging in any action capable of disrupting the activities of the FCT administration, its departmental heads, or political appointees.
They also accused the unions of obstructing access to government offices and paralysing the smooth running of the administration.
At the hearing of the application, counsel to the claimants were present, while the defendants were absent.
Wike and the FCTA were represented by a team of senior lawyers, including Ogwu Onoja (SAN), M.A. Ebute (SAN), and George Ibrahim (SAN), alongside K.O. Mustapha and Esther Audu.
After considering the affidavits and written submissions, Justice Subilim ruled that the applicants had established sufficient grounds and granted leave for substituted service of court processes on the defendants.
In a ruling delivered on January 21, the court ordered that service be effected through publication in Leadership newspaper or any other national daily, as well as by pasting the processes at the JUAC office located at the FCTA secretariat, No. 1 Kapital Street, Area 11, Garki, Abuja.
The court held that the mode of service would be deemed valid and proper and adjourned the matter to January 26 for motion on notice.
However, despite the court action, JUAC has vowed to continue the strike despite the legal challenge.
They acknowledged the court action but said it would not be deterred, adding that it would not suspend the strike until its demands are met.
In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by Holina Adejoh, publicity secretary, the union said workers should remain at home until further notice.
The Whistler