The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dragged the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC) of the FCTA to court over the ongoing strike by FCTA workers, with a hearing scheduled for Monday.
The indefinite strike, launched by workers of the FCTA and the Federal Capital Development Authority on Monday, followed the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum and has paralyzed operations across key government offices in Abuja.
Security agencies, including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Nigeria Police Force, were deployed to restrict access to the FCTA Secretariat.
While FCTA management maintains that most of the workers’ demands have been met, JUAC has rejected this claim, insisting that critical issues remain unresolved.
Court documents, sighted by DAILY GAZETTE correspondent, show that the lawsuit, filed at the Abuja Division of the National Industrial Court under suit number NICN/ABJ/17/2026, names the FCT Minister and the FCTA as claimants.
The defendants are JUAC President Rifkatu Iortyer and Secretary-General Abdullahi Saleh, sued in their representative capacities.
The suit seeks an order restraining the unions and their agents from engaging in picketing, obstruction, lockouts, or any actions directed at the claimants, departmental heads, and political appointees.
The unions are accused of blocking roads, shutting offices, and disrupting the smooth running of the FCT administration.
At Thursday’s hearing, the claimants were represented by a team of senior lawyers, including Ogwu Onoja, SAN; M.A. Ebute, SAN; George Ibrahim, SAN; K.O. Mustapha, Esq.; and Esther Audu, Esq. The defendants were absent.
After reviewing affidavits and submissions, Justice E.D. Subilim granted leave for substituted service of court processes on the union leaders.
The court ruled that service could be effected by publication in the Leadership Newspaper or any other national daily, and by pasting the processes at the JUAC office at the FCTA Secretariat in Garki, Abuja. Justice Subilim declared this mode of service valid and proper.
The matter was adjourned to January 26, 2026, for motion on notice.
Despite the legal challenge, JUAC has vowed to continue the strike.
In a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Holina Adejoh, the union urged workers to comply with its directive to stay away from work.
“We sincerely appreciate you for complying with the directive to stay at home. The strike action continues until our demands are met,” the statement said.
JUAC also confirmed awareness of the court action, insisting it would not be intimidated or suspend the strike.
“We will not relent in the struggle nor allow agents of oppression to cow us into submission. JUAC will not succumb to any form of intimidation or harassment by any means,” the union said, appealing for continued unity and compliance among workers.
