The National Industrial Court (NIC) sitting in Abuja on Tuesday granted an interim injunction restraining the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) from embarking on any form of strike, protest or industrial action within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Justice Emmanuel Sibilim, who delivered the ruling, also restrained three other respondents — Comrades Benson Upah, General NA Toro and Stephen Knabayi — from taking part in or mobilising for the planned action.
The order followed an ex parte motion jointly filed by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA). The application, marked NICN/ABJ/30/26, was moved by the claimants’ legal team led by Mr James Onoja, SAN.
In the ruling, the court barred the first to fifth respondents, their agents and affiliates from embarking on any strike or protest pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice. It further directed the fifth to ninth defendants, comprising security agencies, to ensure that law and order are maintained in the FCT.
The claimants told the court that the FCT Council Chairman had issued a mobilisation message calling on workers and affiliated unions to participate in a mass protest scheduled for February 3. They argued that the planned action violated an existing court order.
Wike informed the court that an earlier restraining order was issued on January 27, but alleged that the NLC and TUC subsequently directed their affiliates to intensify and sustain the strike, citing an appeal against the injunction. He maintained that the directive was aimed at disrupting peace and public order in the nation’s capital.
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Justice Sibilim adjourned the substantive suit to February 10 for hearing.
In an affidavit supporting the motion, the FCT Minister and the FCTA stated that workers under the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC) commenced an industrial action on January 19, 2026, by shutting down offices, schools, departments and agencies of the FCTA, effectively paralysing government activities.
They said the court had, on January 27, granted an interlocutory injunction in Suit No: NICN/ABJ/17/2026, ordering JUAC, its affiliate unions and FCTA employees to suspend the strike and resume work pending the determination of the substantive case.
According to the affidavit, the NLC, acting through its officials, issued subsequent directives urging workers to disregard the court order and resume industrial action. JUAC was said to have followed up with its own directive, mobilising members to continue the strike.
The claimants further alleged that a fresh directive was issued on January 31, calling for a mass protest in the FCT on February 3, with the intention of causing chaos, obstructing movement and disrupting the administration of the territory.
They expressed concern over the potential breakdown of law and order, disruption of economic activities and violation of the rights of residents, including private sector workers, expatriates and visitors, prompting their decision to seek urgent judicial intervention.
