- Safiu Kehinde
The National Industrial Court has ordered the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) workers to suspend their strike action pending the hearing and determination of their case against the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
The presiding judge, Justice Emmanuel Subilim gave the order in his ruling on an application filed by Wike.
According to reports, the FCT Minister had sought a court order compelling striking FCTA workers to return to work.
Wike, in the suit, named the President and the Secretary of the Joint Union Action Congress (JUAC) as respondents.
In his ruling, Justice Subilim held that industrial action, including strikes, must be suspended once a dispute has been referred to the National Industrial Court.
Citing Section 18(1)E of the Trade Dispute Act, the court noted that the suspension ensures the dispute is properly resolved, and that ongoing strikes must halt upon the commencement of a suit by originating summons, which constitutes a referral.
The judge further stated that failure to comply with Section 18 of the Act may attract sanctions.
He emphasized 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.
NPO Reported that the FCTA workers had last week commenced the industrial action in protest against Wike over alleged poor welfarism of workers.
Prior to the ruling today, the workers on Monday stormed the FCT Secretariat and the Industrial Court, demanding for the removal of Wike as the FCT Minister.