FCT Strike: Union Leaders Face Contempt Proceedings
NIC Escalates Legal Pressure Over FCT Strike
THE National Industrial Court has escalated legal pressure on striking workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration and their union leaders, warning that continued defiance of a court order restraining industrial action could result in imprisonment.
The warning was issued through a Form 48 notice dated 29 January, formally notifying the affected parties of the consequences of violating a subsisting injunction.
Strike Dispute Reaches the Court
The warning follows an indefinite strike embarked upon by FCTA workers on 19 January under the Joint Union Action Committee.
The industrial action disrupted essential public services in Abuja and prompted the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to seek judicial intervention to halt the strike.
On 27 January, the court granted an interlocutory injunction ordering the immediate suspension of the strike.
Justice E.D. Subilim ruled that where a labour dispute has been referred to the court, industrial action must be suspended until the court resolves the matter.
What the Court Prohibited
The injunction restrained JUAC and its affiliate unions from engaging in strike actions or any conduct capable of disrupting the operations of the FCTA.
The court expressly barred picketing, road blockades, lock-outs, obstruction of vehicular movement and any activity aimed at crippling government functions.
Justice Subilim ordered that the injunction remain in force pending the final determination of the suit.
Alleged Defiance Triggers Contempt Threat
Following reports of continued strike activities, lawyers to the FCT Minister wrote to the court alleging that JUAC Secretary Abdullahi Saleh and NLC Acting General Secretary Benson Upah had ignored the injunction.
The lawyers accused the union leaders of directing workers to continue the strike in “flagrant disobedience” of the court order.
They subsequently applied for the issuance of Form 48, which serves as a formal warning preceding contempt proceedings.
Court Issues Form 48 Notice
In the Form 48 notice, the court warned that failure to obey its order would render the recipients liable to committal to prison for contempt.
The notice compels the named defendants to appear before the court to explain their conduct.
Unions Push Back
In response, organised labour has rejected the court’s decision, insisting that workers’ demands remain unresolved.
The NLC described the injunction as unjust and maintained that the strike would continue.
The TUC also declared its support for the action, accusing the FCTA of failing to address workers’ grievances.
The dispute now sets the stage for a legal confrontation between the FCT Administration and organised labour, with the court expected to further address the matter on 25 March 2026.
