The National Industrial Court in Abuja has restrained the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) from staging a protest scheduled for Tuesday, February 3. Emmanuel Subilim, the presiding judge, gave the order on Monday after hearing an ex parte application filed by Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), …
Court Restrains NLC, TUC from Staging Protest in Abuja
The National Industrial Court in Abuja has restrained the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) from staging a protest scheduled for Tuesday, February 3.
Emmanuel Subilim, the presiding judge, gave the order on Monday after hearing an ex parte application filed by Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
The defendants listed in the suit include the NLC, TUC, Benson Upah, spokesperson of the NLC, Nuhu Toro, general secretary of the NLC, Stephen Knabayi, Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of police (IGP), the FCT commissioner of police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Wike asked the court to restrain the first to fifth defendants from embarking on any protest or strike action against the FCTA.
In the application, the claimants said they were apprehensive of a breakdown of law and order, obstruction of vehicular movement and violation of the rights of FCT residents, particularly private-sector workers, government employees, expatriates and tourists.
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They also alleged that despite an existing court order, the defendants had perfected plans to instigate workers of the FCTA to disobey the court and proceed with protests and demonstrations in the nation’s capital.
The claimants warned that unless the court intervened, the planned protest would cripple government operations, disrupt economic activities and breach public peace in Abuja.
They urged the court to restrain the defendants in the interest of preserving industrial harmony and ensuring the continued provision of essential services pending the hearing of the substantive motion.
Ogwu Onoja, counsel to the FCT minister, told the court that the planned protest violated an earlier order issued by the court.
On Sunday, the NLC and TUC had asked their members to prepare for a “solidarity rally” at the office of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) in support of the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC).
Background
On January 19, FCTA workers began an indefinite strike over what they described as the authorities’ failure to address long-standing labour and welfare demands. The strike led to the shutdown of activities across secretariats, departments and agencies of the FCTA and FCDA.
Following the action, Wike sued the JUAC at the national industrial court.
On January 27, the court ordered the workers to suspend the strike, holding that although the dispute qualified as a trade dispute, the right to embark on industrial action was not absolute.
The judge ruled that once a dispute is before the industrial court, any ongoing strike must cease pending the determination of the case.
Subsequently, the office of the head of civil service in the FCTA directed workers across its secretariats, departments and agencies to resume duties. However, the NLC asked its members to continue the strike.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
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