Justice Emmanuel Subilim has ordered FCTA workers to suspend their ongoing strike and return to work, ruling in favor of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
The minister had filed a suit against Joint Union Action Congress (JUAC) chairman Rifkatu Lortyer and Abdullahi Umar Saleh over the industrial action that began on Jan. 19, 2026. The workers cited five months of unpaid salaries, poor working conditions, and stalled promotions as reasons for the strike.
The walkout came after a seven-day ultimatum issued by the FCTA staff expired, disrupting public services across the territory. While Wike claims the workers’ demands have been addressed, JUAC chairman Lortyer insists the issues remain unresolved.
In the suit, Wike asked the court to compel the striking workers to resume duties. Michael Okpara, counsel for the union, countered that forcing staff back while salaries remain unpaid could be dangerous. He also noted that the union had sent 11 letters to the minister detailing grievances and requesting mediation, arguing the matter should have been handled through alternative dispute resolution.
“The minister is wasting time in court trying to intimidate workers,” Okpara said. “If workers are called back to work unpaid and frustrated, it’s even more dangerous.”
The minister’s legal team argued that JUAC is not a recognised union under the Trade Union Act or the Allied Matters Act, making the strike illegal.
“The people who called the strike are an illegal body,” the claimants stated in court. “JUAC is not registered under the Trade Union Act, and because of that, they cannot call a strike.”
Justice Subilim, however, clarified that the court could only issue orders regarding the two named defendants. Still, he granted an interlocutory injunction restraining them and any representatives from continuing the strike until the case is resolved.
“Although this matter amounts to a trade dispute, the defendants’ right to industrial action is not absolute,” Subilim said. “Once a dispute has been referred to the National Industrial Court, any ongoing strike must cease pending the determination of the case. An order of interlocutory injunction is hereby granted, restraining the claimants and representatives from further industrial action against the claimant. The order shall remain in force pending the determination of this suit.”
During the strike, workers carried placards reading “Wike Must Go,” “Abuja Is Not Rivers State,” and “Enough Is Enough.” Video footage showed protesters agitated as Wike’s convoy passed, chanting and moving toward vehicles to draw attention to their grievances.
The unpaid salaries and unresolved issues have deepened distrust toward Wike among FCTA workers. Many observers say the minister’s move to use the courts to force employees back to work signals a lack of empathy and could further damage his image, which has already been marred by a series of controversies.
