The ruling followed an interlocutory injunction granted on Tuesday after a suit was filed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, alongside the FCT Administration, against leaders of the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC).
The claimants approached the court seeking an order restraining the union and its representatives from embarking on industrial action, including strikes, picketing, or lockouts, pending the resolution of the dispute.
In the suit marked NICN/ABJ/17/2026, the defendants include the Chairman of JUAC, Rifkatu Iortyer, and the committee’s Secretary, Abdullahi Umar Saleh.
Delivering his ruling, Justice E.D. Subilim acknowledged that the matter qualified as a trade dispute and had satisfied the legal requirements for adjudication.
However, he ruled that the right of workers to embark on industrial action is not absolute under Nigerian labour law.
The judge held that once a trade dispute is formally referred to the National Industrial Court, workers are legally barred from continuing or initiating a strike.
According to him, where such industrial action is already in progress, it must be suspended pending the determination of the case.
“An order of interlocutory injunction is hereby granted, restraining the defendants and their representatives from further embarking on any industrial action against the claimant. This order shall remain in force pending the determination of this suit,” Justice Subilim ruled.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter to March 23, 2026, for the hearing of the substantive suit.
