The National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja has issued an interim order restraining the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and other union officials from embarking on any strike or protest within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Justice Emmanuel Subilim granted the order on Monday following an ex parte application filed by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
Also restrained are the NLC spokesperson, Benson Upah; the TUC General Secretary, Nuhu Toro; and the Chairman of the FCT chapter of the NLC, Stephen Knabayi.
The application, dated February 2, 2026, was brought pursuant to a suit marked NICN/ABJ/30/26 and filed by James Onoja (SAN) on behalf of the FCT Minister and the FCTA.
In his ruling, Justice Subilim ordered the defendants and their agents to desist from any form of industrial action or protest pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice. The court further directed relevant security agencies to ensure the maintenance of law and order in Abuja.
The claimants told the court that the FCT NLC chairman had circulated a mobilisation notice calling on workers and affiliate unions to participate in a mass protest scheduled for February 3, despite an existing court order restraining such actions.
According to them, an interlocutory injunction issued on January 27, 2026, had barred the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC) and its affiliate unions from continuing industrial action and directed workers to resume duties pending the determination of a substantive suit.
They alleged that, contrary to the court order, the NLC and TUC issued directives urging workers to resume the strike, citing an appeal filed by their counsel, Femi Falana (SAN), against the interlocutory ruling.
The claimants further stated that JUAC subsequently circulated a directive instructing workers to sustain the strike, while another notice dated January 31 allegedly mobilised workers for a mass protest in Abuja.
The FCT Minister and the FCTA argued that the planned protest could lead to a breakdown of law and order, disrupt vehicular movement, and infringe on the rights of residents, private sector workers, expatriates, and visitors to the nation’s capital.
The court adjourned the matter to February 10, 2026, for the hearing of the motion on notice.
