The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), Abuja, has ordered workers under the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) of the Federal Capital Territory to suspend their ongoing strike.

The order followed a suit filed by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the FCT Administration against JUAC Chairman, Rifkatu Iortyer, and Secretary, Abdullahi Umar Saleh, seeking to restrain them from embarking on industrial action. The case is marked NICN/ABJ/17/2026.

In his ruling on Tuesday, Justice E.D. Subilim held that although the dispute qualified as a trade dispute, the right to embark on industrial action was not absolute.

“The defendant’s right to an industrial action is not absolute, but as circumscribed by law,” he said.

Justice Subilim ruled that once a dispute is referred to the National Industrial Court, workers are prohibited from striking and that any ongoing strike must cease pending the determination of the case.

Granting the interlocutory injunction, the court restrained the union, its officials, and members from “further embarking on any industrial action, strike, picketing, lockout, or any other form of obstruction,” including blocking roads or disrupting official activities. The order will remain in force pending the hearing of the substantive suit, which was adjourned to March 23, 2026.

Counsel to the claimants, James Onoja, SAN, welcomed the ruling, saying it would allow room for dialogue and mediation, and urged the unions to return to work. Counsel to the respondents, Maxwell Opara, said the workers would respect the court order.

JUAC President, Rifkatu Iortyer, confirmed compliance with the ruling, stating that workers would immediately return to work while continuing to pursue their demands through lawful means.