The National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja has restrained the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and three others from embarking on any strike, protest or industrial action within the Federal Capital Territory.
Justice Emmanuel Subilim issued the interim order on Monday while ruling on an ex parte application filed by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
Those affected by the order include the NLC and TUC, the NLC spokesperson, Benson Upah; the TUC General Secretary, Nuhu Toro; and the Chairman of the FCT NLC, Stephen Knabayi.
The application, dated February 2, was filed under suit number NICN/ABJ/30/26 by James Onoja (SAN) on behalf of the FCT Minister and the FCTA. After hearing the claimants, Justice Subilim granted an interim order restraining the respondents, their agents or associates from embarking on any strike or protest pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
The court also directed security agencies listed as the 5th to 9th defendants to ensure there is no breakdown of law and order in Abuja.
According to the claimants, the leadership of the FCT Council of the NLC had circulated a mobilisation message calling on members and affiliate unions to participate in a mass protest scheduled for February 3, an action they said violated an existing court order.
They told the court that following an interlocutory ruling delivered on January 27, 2026, restraining further industrial action and directing workers to resume work, the order was served on the defendants the same day. Despite this, the NLC and TUC allegedly issued directives asking their members to intensify and sustain the strike, citing an appeal filed by their counsel, Femi Falana (SAN).
The claimants further alleged that the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC) issued a circular directing workers to continue the strike, a move they said was capable of causing a breakdown of law and order in the nation’s capital.
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In an affidavit supporting the application, the claimants stated that workers under the FCTA began an industrial action on January 19, 2026, locking offices, shutting schools and paralyzing government activities across Abuja.
They added that despite a subsisting court order restraining such actions, fresh directives were issued by labour leaders urging workers to resume the strike and disregard the court’s ruling.
The claimants expressed fears that the planned protest could disrupt vehicular movement, threaten public safety and infringe on the rights of residents, including private sector workers, expatriates and visitors to the FCT.
The matter was adjourned until February 10, 2026, for the hearing of the motion on notice.
