The National Industrial Court of Nigeria, sitting in Abuja, has granted an interlocutory injunction sought by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the FCT Administration, ordering workers under the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) to suspend their ongoing strike.
The claimants had filed the case against JUAC Chairman Rifkatu Iortyer and Secretary Abdullahi Umar Saleh in suit number NICN/ABJ/17/2026, seeking a court order to restrain the defendants and their members from engaging in any industrial action, picketing, or lockout.
Delivering the ruling on Tuesday, Justice E.D. Subilim noted that while the dispute qualified as a trade dispute under the law, the defendants’ right to strike was not absolute.
He ruled that once a dispute has been referred to the National Industrial Court, workers are prohibited from participating in strikes, and any ongoing industrial action must cease immediately pending the court’s determination.
“An order of interlocutory injunction is hereby granted, restraining the claimants and their representatives from further embarking on any industrial action against the claimant.
“The order shall remain in force pending the determination of this suit,” Justice Subilim said.