by Ọ̀gbẹ́ni Oláwálé Dáwódù
The National Industrial Court (NIC), Abuja, has halted a looming confrontation between organised labour and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), issuing an order restraining the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) from staging any strike or protest within the nation’s capital.
Justice Emmanuel Danjuma Sibilim gave the interim order on Monday while ruling on an ex-parte application filed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the FCTA. The order also restrains three labour leaders—Comrades Benson Upah, General N.A. Toro and Stephen Knabayi—from participating in any industrial action in Abuja.
“The respondents, their agents and affiliates are hereby restrained from embarking on any form of strike or protest within the Federal Capital Territory pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice,” Justice Sibilim ruled.
The suit, marked NICN/ABJ/30/26, was argued by Dr. Ogwu James Onoja (SAN) on behalf of the minister and the FCTA. The court also directed security agencies listed as defendants to ensure that law and order is maintained across the FCT.
In court filings, the FCTA told the judge that the Chairman of the FCT Council of Labour had circulated mobilisation messages calling for a mass protest scheduled for February 3, which it said violated an earlier court order.
According to the claimants, workers under the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC) had on January 19 shut down FCTA offices, schools and agencies, “effectively grounding government operations in Abuja.” The court had on January 27 granted an interlocutory injunction restraining JUAC and affiliated unions from continuing the strike and ordered workers to resume duties.
However, the FCTA alleged that despite being served with the order the same day, the NLC and TUC issued fresh directives urging workers to defy the ruling, citing an appeal reportedly filed by their counsel, Femi Falana (SAN).
The claimants further argued that a subsequent circular mobilising workers for a mass protest was “capable of triggering chaos, obstructing movement and disrupting the rights of residents, businesses, expatriates and tourists in the nation’s capital.”
Justice Sibilim adjourned the matter to February 10, 2026, for hearing of the motion on notice.
