Strike Drama: JUAC Stopped By Court, Wike And FCTA Clash With Unions

The longstanding dispute between Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike and civil service workers escalated on Thursday as a court intervened to halt the indefinite strike organized by the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC).

According to reports, the National Industrial Court (NICN) in Abuja issued an Order of Interlocutory Injunction, restraining JUAC from continuing its industrial action, which threatened to disrupt key government operations in the FCT.

Presiding Judge Justice E.D. Subilim granted the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) application to prevent all strike-related activities, including picketing, lockouts, road blockades, and any actions that could paralyze public service delivery.

Dr. Ogwu Onoja (SAN), leading the FCTA’s legal team, argued that the strike was unlawful and posed a direct threat to governance and the functioning of the capital. The legal move comes amid rising tensions over unpaid promotion arrears and statutory entitlements, which triggered the indefinite strike.

In a notable legal strategy, the FCTA also questioned JUAC’s legitimacy, challenging whether the body qualifies as a registered trade union under the Trade Disputes Act. “The strike is illegal, and the body leading it lacks the legal framework to operate as a union under extant labour laws,” the FCTA contended in court.

JUAC President Rifkatu Iortyer and Secretary Abdullahi Umar Saleh were absent during proceedings, prompting the court to approve substituted service. Court summonses are to be posted at JUAC’s office in the Area 11 Secretariat and published in a national daily to ensure the union cannot claim ignorance of the proceedings.

The strike had begun to disrupt key administrative departments across the FCT, with workers pressing for the payment of promotion arrears and other entitlements.