FCT Minister Escalates Legal Battle Against Striking Workers
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has taken a decisive legal step in the ongoing industrial dispute in Abuja by formally requesting the National Industrial Court to issue an order committing striking workers to prison for alleged contempt of court. This application represents a significant escalation in the government's response to the labor action that has disrupted operations within the nation's capital.
Legal Notice Warns of Imprisonment Consequences
Acting through his legal representative, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Ogwu Onoja, Minister Wike obtained Form 48 from the court, which serves as a statutory notice warning of the severe consequences of disobeying a judicial directive. This document, dated January 29, 2026, was signed by the Registrar of the Industrial Court, Mr. Olajide Balogun, and is to be served directly on the workers participating in the strike action.
The notice explicitly states: "Take note that unless you obey the directions contained in the order of Justice E.D. Subilim of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria delivered 27th day of January 2026, you will be guilty of contempt of court and will be liable to be committed to prison." This formal warning follows claims that the workers have ignored a subsisting court order directing them to immediately suspend their industrial action.
Court's Initial Ruling and Legal Basis
Justice Emmanuel Subilim had previously ruled on January 27 that the strike could not continue while the dispute was already before the National Industrial Court for determination. The judge ordered the workers to call off the action immediately, warning that allowing it to persist could paralyze government operations within the Federal Capital Territory while the matter remained unresolved.
In his ruling, Justice Subilim acknowledged that workers possess the right to embark on strike actions to ventilate their grievances. However, he emphasized that this right is not without limits under Nigerian law. Relying specifically on Section 18(1)(b) of the Trade Disputes Act, the judge held that workers are legally barred from embarking on industrial action once a dispute has been formally referred to the National Industrial Court.
The court maintained that its intervention was necessary to preserve public order and prevent the disruption of essential services within the capital territory. Justice Subilim's ruling established the legal foundation for the current contempt proceedings being pursued by Minister Wike.
Minister's Legal Arguments and Hearing Schedule
In his originating summons, Minister Wike presented several legal arguments to support his application. He contended that the ongoing strike failed to meet the specific requirements outlined in the Trade Disputes Act, thereby rendering it unlawful. Additionally, the minister argued that the Joint Unions Action Committee, which declared the industrial action, lacks the necessary legal standing as it is not a registered trade union under Nigerian law.
The matter has been formally adjourned to March 25, 2026, for a comprehensive hearing where both parties will present their arguments before the court. This scheduling provides a timeline for the resolution of this escalating legal confrontation between the FCT administration and the striking workers.
Background Context and Counter-Protests
This legal development occurs against a backdrop of broader political dynamics within the Federal Capital Territory. Earlier reports indicated that a coalition of indigenous groups and resident associations in Abuja had rejected repeated calls for the removal of Minister Wike from office. These groups described the campaign for his removal as misguided and detached from the realities on the ground in the capital.
The coalition specifically urged President Bola Tinubu to ignore pressure from critics pushing for the minister's dismissal. They argued that such calls failed to reflect recent developments and improvements across Abuja and its satellite communities, suggesting broader support for Wike's administration among certain segments of the capital's population.
The current legal proceedings represent a critical juncture in the ongoing labor dispute, with potential implications for industrial relations, workers' rights, and governance within Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory. The outcome of the March hearing will likely set important precedents for how similar disputes are handled in the future.
