Wike drags FCTA workers’ union to Court as strike enters legal battle

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dragged the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC) of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) before the National Industrial Court over the ongoing strike by FCTA workers.

The legal action comes as the industrial dispute heads for a substantive hearing scheduled for Monday.

Workers of the FCTA and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) had on Monday embarked on an indefinite strike following the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the FCTA management, effectively paralysing activities across key government offices in Abuja.

The strike led to the shutdown of operations at the FCTA Secretariat, with operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigeria Police Force deployed to barricade the complex and restrict access.

Although the FCTA management claimed that the bulk of the workers’ demands had been addressed, JUAC dismissed the claim, insisting that critical issues remained unresolved.

Court documents obtained on Thursday showed that the suit was filed at the Abuja Division of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, marked NICN/ABJ/17/2026, and is being handled by Justice E. D. Subilim.

Listed as claimants in the suit are the FCT Minister and the FCTA, while the defendants are the President of JUAC, Rifkatu Iortyer, and the Secretary-General, Abdullahi Saleh, sued in their representative capacities.

In the application before the court, Wike and the FCTA are seeking an order restraining the unions and their officials from engaging in acts such as picketing, obstruction, lockouts or any conduct capable of disrupting the operations of the FCTA, its departments, political appointees and senior officials.

The claimants accused the unions of blocking access roads, sealing offices and paralysing the smooth administration of the nation’s capital.

At the hearing of the application, counsel to the claimants were present, while the defendants were absent. The FCTA was represented by a formidable legal team led by Ogwu Onoja, SAN, alongside M.A. Ebute, SAN; George Ibrahim, SAN; K.O. Mustapha, Esq.; and Esther Audu, Esq.

After considering the affidavits and written addresses, Justice Subilim ruled that the applicants had made a prima facie case 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, in addition to pasting the processes at the JUAC office located within the FCTA Secretariat at No. 1 Kapital Street, Area 11, Garki, Abuja.

The court held that such service would be regarded as valid and proper.

Justice Subilim stated that the matter had been adjourned to January 26, 2026, for hearing of a motion on notice.

Meanwhile, JUAC has vowed to continue the strike action despite the court case.

In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its Publicity Secretary, Holina Adejoh, the union leadership applauded workers for complying with the 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.

The union confirmed awareness of the court action, noting that the FCT Minister had instituted legal proceedings against it.

However, JUAC insisted it would not be intimidated into suspending the strike, declaring that it would not bow to pressure or threats.

“We will not relent in the struggle nor allow agents of oppression to cow us into submission. JUAC will not succumb to any form of intimidation or harassment,” the statement added.

The union further appealed to workers to remain united and continue to observe the strike directive until further notice.

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