Wike Takes FCT Unions To Court As Indefinite Strike Grounds Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dragged the Joint Unions Action Committee of the Federal Capital Territory Administration before the National Industrial Court over the ongoing indefinite strike by FCTA workers, as the dispute escalates into a full legal showdown.
Workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration and the Federal Capital Development Authority on Monday commenced an indefinite strike following the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum, bringing activities across major government offices in Abuja to a standstill.
The industrial action led to the shutdown of operations at the FCTA Secretariat, prompting the deployment of operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Nigeria Police Force to restrict access to the complex.
Despite claims by the FCTA management that most of the workers’ demands had been addressed, the Joint Unions Action Committee rejected the assertion, insisting that critical issues remained unresolved.
Court documents sighted on Thursday showed that the lawsuit was filed at the Abuja Division of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria and assigned suit number NICN/ABJ/17/2026, with Justice E. D. Subilim presiding.
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The claimants in the suit are the FCT Minister and the FCTA, while the defendants are the President of JUAC, Rifkatu Iortyer, and its Secretary-General, Abdullahi Saleh, sued in their representative capacities.
In the originating processes, Wike and the FCTA are seeking an order restraining the unions and their agents from engaging in picketing, obstruction, lockouts or any action capable of disrupting the activities of the FCT administration, departmental heads and political appointees.
The unions were accused of blocking access roads, shutting down offices and paralysing governance activities within the nation’s capital.
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 team of senior lawyers, including Ogwu Onoja (SAN), M. A. Ebute (SAN), George Ibrahim (SAN), K. O. Mustapha and Esther Audu.
After reviewing the affidavits and written submissions, Justice Subilim ruled 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 court processes at the JUAC office located within the FCTA Secretariat at No. 1 Kapital Street, Area 11, Garki, Abuja.
The court held that the mode of service would be deemed valid and proper and adjourned the matter to January 26, 2026, for hearing of the motion on notice.
Meanwhile, the union has vowed to continue the strike action despite the court proceedings.
In a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Holina Adejoh, JUAC 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 read.
Confirming awareness of the court action, the union said it would not be intimidated into suspending the strike, declaring that it would not succumb to any form of pressure or harassment.
The statement urged workers to remain united and continue observing the strike directive pending further instructions from the union leadership.