By Sarah NEGEDU
The ongoing industrial action by workers in the Federal Capital Territory Administration has taken a dramatic turn, as the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, dragged the workers’ union to the National Industrial Court in Abuja.
Court documents sighted by The Abuja Inquirer show that Wike and the FCTA filed an Originating Summons and Motion on Notice against the Joint Unions Action Committee, JUAC, the body representing striking staff across FCTA and FCDA.
The filings dated Wednesday 21st January, sought to restrain the union and its officials from further industrial action, including strikes, picketing, and lockouts that have disrupted government operations and public services in the nation’s capital.
The suit, marked NICN/ABJ/17/2026 and assigned to Justice E. D. Subilim, names Rifkatu Iortyer and Abdullahi Umar Saleh as representatives of JUAC.
The filings allege that the ongoing strike, picketing, and office lockdowns have paralyzed government operations and obstructed vehicular movement, causing widespread disruption in the FCT.
The court documents further reveal that the FCTA sought an interlocutory injunction to restrain the union and its officials, along with other JUAC members, from further industrial actions that could cripple government services or frustrate administrative activities.
It prayed the court to restrain the Defendants/Respondents from, “further embarking on any industrial action, picketing or lock out… with a view to crippling, blocking roads or obstructing the flow of vehicular movement, shutting down operations of the Claimants/Applicants.”
The filings emphasised that JUAC is not a registered trade union and questioned the legality of its directives to workers under the Trade Unions Act and Trade Disputes Act.
According to the document, “Whether by virtue of Section 2(1) of the Trade Unions Act, the Joint Unions Action Committee for which the Defendants are holding themselves forth as the President and Secretary not being a registered Trade Union can issue notices and direct its members… to embark on any industrial action such as strike, picketing or lock out in the Federal Capital Territory.”
At the initial hearing on Thursday, lawyers for Wike and the FCTA were present, while the defendants did not appear. Following a review of the application, Justice Subilim granted leave for substituted service, allowing the court papers to be served through publication in national newspapers and posting at the JUAC office within the FCTA Secretariat in Garki, Abuja.
The Abuja Inquirer gathered that the court, in its ruling on Thursday, 22nd January, deemed the method of substituted service through newspaper publication and physical posting at the JUAC office, as valid service on the defendants.
The ruling, delivered by Justice E. D. Subilim, maintained that the workers had failed to comply with the required legal processes under the Trade Disputes Act and Trade Unions Act, but allowed the matter to proceed so that it could be properly argued and determined in court.
The court therefore adjourned the matter to January 26 for further hearing.
Despite the legal action, JUAC is insisting that the strike will continue.
In a notice to staff on Thursday, the union praised workers for complying with the stay-at-home directive and described the minister’s court move as an attempt to intimidate them.
“We sincerely appreciate you for complying with the directive to stay at home. The strike action continues until our demands are met.
“The union wishes to bring to the notice of all staff that the Minister of the FCTA has taken us to court. We will not relent in the struggle as well as allow agents of oppression to cow us into submission. JUAC will not succumb to any form of intimidation or harassment by any means,” The notice read.
JUAC urged workers to remain united and continue staying away from duty until further instructions.
The strike, now in its fourth-day, continues to shut down key FCTA and FCDA offices, while negotiations between government and union leaders end at deadlock.
