The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has taken legal action against the Joint Unions Action Committee of the Federal Capital Territory Administration over the ongoing indefinite strike by FCTA workers, with the case scheduled for hearing on Monday at the National Industrial Court.
The lawsuit comes as workers of the FCTA and the Federal Capital Development Authority enter the second week of industrial action that has paralyzed operations across major government offices in Abuja. The strike, which commenced on Monday following the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the FCTA management, has effectively grounded activities at the administration’s secretariat and other key facilities.
The industrial action has forced the shutdown of operations at the FCTA Secretariat, prompting authorities to deploy operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Nigeria Police Force to restrict access to the complex. The deployment has intensified tensions between the striking workers and the administration.
The lawsuit, filed at the Abuja Division of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, bears suit number NICN/ABJ/17/2026 and is being presided over by Justice E. D. Subilim. Court documents indicated that the claimants are the FCT Minister and the FCTA, while the defendants are the President of JUAC, Rifkatu Iortyer, and the Secretary-General, Abdullahi Saleh, both sued in their representative capacities.
According to court filings, the minister and the FCTA are seeking an order restraining the unions and their agents from engaging in picketing, obstruction, lockouts, or any action directed at the claimants, departmental heads, and political appointees. The unions have been accused of blocking roads, shutting offices, and disrupting the smooth running of the FCT administration.
At the hearing of the application, counsel to the claimants were present in court, while the defendants were absent. The minister and the FCTA were represented by a formidable team of senior lawyers, including Ogwu Onoja, SAN; M.A. Ebute, SAN; George Ibrahim, SAN; K.O. Mustapha, Esq.; and Esther Audu, Esq.
After reviewing the affidavits and written submissions presented by the claimants’ legal team, Justice Subilim held that the applicants had established sufficient grounds for the reliefs sought and granted leave for substituted service of court processes on the defendants.
In a ruling delivered on January 21, the court ordered that service be effected through publication in Leadership Newspaper or any other national daily, as well as by pasting the processes at the JUAC office located at the FCTA Secretariat, No. 1 Kapital Street, Area 11, Garki, Abuja. The court ruled that this mode of service would be deemed valid and proper.
“Having listened to counsel to applicants and taking a close look at the reliefs, the affidavit, and the written address thereto, I am of the view that the applicant has established a case to warrant the granting of the reliefs sought,” Justice Subilim said.
“Accordingly, an order for leave is hereby granted to serve the originating processes and any or all subsequent process in this suit on the defendants by substituted means by advertising/publishing same in the Leadership Newspaper or any other national newspaper or daily in Nigeria and pasting same on the premises of the Joint Union Action Committee at FCTA Secretariat, No. 1 Kapital Street, Area 11, Garki, Abuja.”
The judge added, “An order is hereby granted deeming the said mode of service as good and proper service on the defendants. This case is hereby adjourned to 26/01/2026 for motion on notice.”
The current strike action represents the culmination of weeks of escalating tensions between FCTA workers and the administration led by Wike, a former Rivers State governor who was appointed FCT Minister following President Bola Tinubu’s inauguration in May 2023.
Despite claims by the FCTA management that most of the workers’ demands had been met, JUAC has rejected the assertion and insisted that the issues at stake remain unresolved. The union has not publicly detailed the full scope of its demands, but industrial disputes within the federal civil service have historically centered on issues including unpaid allowances, poor working conditions, pension arrears, and implementation of salary structures.
The use of the National Industrial Court to resolve labor disputes is provided for under Nigerian law. The National Industrial Court of Nigeria Act 2006 established the court as a superior court of record with exclusive jurisdiction over labor and employment matters, trade union disputes, and industrial relations issues affecting both public and private sector workers.
However, the resort to legal action in the midst of ongoing negotiations has often been viewed as contentious by organized labor, which typically sees such moves as attempts to intimidate workers and undermine collective bargaining rights.
In a defiant response to the legal challenge, JUAC has vowed to continue the strike action. In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its Publicity Secretary, Holina Adejoh, the union leadership commended workers for complying with its directive to stay away from work.
“We sincerely appreciate you for complying with the directive to stay at home. The strike action continues until our demands are met,” the statement said.
JUAC confirmed it was aware of the court action, stating, “The union wishes to bring to the notice of all staff that the Minister of the FCTA has taken us to court.”
The union insisted it would not be intimidated into suspending the strike, declaring, “We will not relent in the struggle nor allow agents of oppression to cow us into submission. JUAC will not succumb to any form of intimidation or harassment by any means.”
Appealing for unity among workers, the statement urged continued compliance with the strike directive, adding, “We appeal for your cooperation. Do well to continue to stay at home until further directive from JUAC.”
Industrial disputes between government agencies and workers’ unions have been a recurring feature of Nigeria’s public service landscape since independence. The federal civil service has witnessed numerous strikes over the years, often triggered by disputes over conditions of service, delayed implementation of agreements, and perceived high-handedness by government officials.
The National Industrial Court was established specifically to provide speedy resolution to such disputes and reduce the frequency of disruptive industrial actions. However, organized labor has often been skeptical of the judiciary’s independence in labor matters, particularly when government is a party to the dispute.
The Trade Union Act and the Trade Disputes Act provide the legal framework for industrial relations in Nigeria, outlining the rights and obligations of both employers and workers, as well as procedures for resolving disputes before they escalate to strike action.
Under Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, workers have the fundamental right to freedom of association, including the right to form and belong to trade unions. However, this right is subject to reasonable restrictions in the interest of public order and safety.
