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The National Industrial Court has issued an interim order restraining the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and allied unions from embarking on any strike, protest, or industrial action in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Justice Emmanuel Subilim made the ruling in Abuja after granting an ex parte application filed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the FCT Administration (FCTA). The order takes effect immediately and remains in force pending the hearing of a substantive motion on notice.
In the ruling, the court restrained the first to fifth respondents, including the NLC and TUC, as well as their agents and affiliates, from proceeding with any industrial action. Justice Subilim also directed the fifth to ninth respondents—identified as security agencies—to ensure that law and order are maintained across the nation’s capital.
The judge said the interim measures were necessary to prevent a breakdown of public order while the court considers the issues raised by the parties.
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The application was argued by Ogwu Onoja, counsel to Wike and the FCTA, who told the court that the chairman of the FCT council had circulated a mobilization message calling on union members to participate in a mass protest scheduled for February 3.
According to the filing, the planned protest violated an earlier court order issued on January 27, which restrained the unions from continuing strike actions. Onoja said the court’s order was served on the defendants the same day it was issued.
Despite being served, he argued, the NLC and TUC allegedly released a joint statement directing affiliated unions to intensify and sustain the strike.
Onoja further told the court that the unions justified their directive by citing an appeal filed by their counsel, Femi Falana, against the interlocutory ruling. However, he argued that filing an appeal does not automatically suspend the effect of a valid court order.
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He added that the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) later issued a circular instructing workers to continue the strike, a move the applicants described as capable of triggering a breakdown of law and order in Abuja.
After granting the interim reliefs, Justice Subilim adjourned the case to February 10 for hearing of the motion on notice.
