The Federal Capital Territory FCT Administration has successfully obtained a court order to halt the ongoing strike by the Joint Unions Action Committee JUAC. This legal intervention marks a significant development in the dispute between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and the administration’s workforce, aiming to de-escalate tensions that have threatened to disrupt essential government operations. The National Industrial Court NICN in Abuja issued an Order of Interlocutory Injunction, effectively preventing JUAC from continuing its industrial action.
Justice E. D. Subilim granted the FCTA’s application to restrain the union after a week of escalating friction over issues including unpaid promotion arrears and statutory entitlements. The court’s order specifically prohibits JUAC from engaging in picketing, lockouts, road blockades, or any other activities intended to shut down government functions.
The FCTA, represented by Dr. Ogwu J. Onoja, SAN, argued that the strike was not only disruptive but also fundamentally unlawful. A key aspect of the FCTA’s legal strategy involves questioning the legitimacy of JUAC, specifically whether it possesses the legal standing of a registered trade union under the Trade Disputes Act, given its status as an umbrella body.
Featured snippet paragraph: The FCTA secured an interlocutory injunction from the National Industrial Court NICN in Abuja to stop the JUAC strike. This order bars the union from picketing, lockouts, or any actions that would shut down government operations, stemming from disputes over unpaid arrears and entitlements.
This court order comes as a direct response to the paralysis caused by the strike, which has been ongoing for a considerable period. The FCTA’s move to leverage the judiciary signifies a decisive step in managing labor disputes within the capital territory.
The defendants, identified as JUAC president Rifkatu Iortyer and Secretary Abdullahi Umar Saleh, were not present during the court proceedings. This absence led to the approval of substituted service by Justice Subilim.
Consequently, the court has ordered that the summons be posted at the JUAC office located in the Area 11 Secretariat. Additionally, the order mandates publication in a national newspaper to ensure that the union cannot claim ignorance of the legal proceedings.
The legal challenge by the FCTA raises important questions about the recognition and operational scope of umbrella labor organizations within the federal administration.
This development highlights the complex interplay between labor rights and administrative efficiency in a major capital city.
The FCTA’s legal team has presented a robust case, emphasizing the critical need for uninterrupted public service delivery.
The court’s decision is expected to have immediate implications for the ongoing negotiations and the broader labor landscape in Abuja.
Workers’ rights and the government’s responsibility to maintain order are at the forefront of this ongoing legal battle.
The FCTA’s proactive legal stance aims to restore normalcy and ensure the smooth functioning of all government departments and agencies.
This legal action underscores the FCTA’s commitment to resolving labor disputes through established legal frameworks, even as it seeks to protect public services.
