The National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja has restrained the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and three other parties from embarking on any form of strike or protest within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Justice Emmanuel Subilim issued the interim order on Monday while ruling on an ex parte application filed by the Minister of the FCT, Mr. Nyesom Wike, and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
Also restrained are the NLC spokesperson, Mr. Benson Upah; the General Secretary of the TUC, Mr. Nuhu Toro; and the Chairman of the NLC FCT Council, Mr. Stephen Knabayi.
The application, dated February 2, was brought pursuant to a suit marked NICN/ABJ/30/26 and filed by Mr. James Onoja (SAN) on behalf of the FCT Minister and the FCTA.
After hearing the claimants, Justice Subilim granted an interim order restraining the 1st to 5th respondents, their agents, or privies from embarking on any strike or protest pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice. The judge also directed the 5th to 9th defendants, who are security agencies, to ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order in the nation’s capital.
According to the claimants, the Chairman of the NLC FCT Council had circulated a mobilisation message to members and affiliated unions for a mass protest scheduled for February 3, an action they said violated subsisting court orders.
They told the court that following an interlocutory ruling delivered on January 27, 2026, and served on the defendants the same day, the NLC and TUC allegedly directed their affiliate unions to intensify and sustain the strike. The claimants said the directive, jointly signed by both labour centres, instructed striking workers to resume action on the grounds that their counsel, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), had filed an appeal against the interlocutory ruling.
The claimants further alleged that the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC) subsequently issued a circular directing all employees to continue the strike, a move they said was aimed at causing a breakdown of law and order in Abuja.
Justice Subilim adjourned the matter until February 10 for the hearing of the motion on notice.
In an affidavit in support of the application, the claimants stated that on January 19, 2026, workers under the aegis of JUAC commenced an industrial action by locking all entrances to offices and the secretariat of the FCTA, including the closure of schools, departments, and agencies of the administration, thereby bringing government activities to a standstill.
They said they approached the National Industrial Court in Suit No. NICN/ABJ/17/2026, where an interlocutory injunction was granted on January 27, restraining JUAC and its affiliate unions from further industrial action and ordering workers to resume duty pending the determination of the substantive suit.
Despite being served with the order, the claimants alleged that the NLC and TUC issued directives urging workers to disregard the court’s ruling and resume the strike, followed by a mobilisation call for a mass protest in Abuja on February 3.
The claimants said they feared that the planned protest could lead to a breakdown of law and order, obstruction of vehicular movement, and violation of the rights of FCT residents, including private sector workers, expatriates, and tourists, prompting their decision to seek the court’s intervention.
