The National Industrial Court of Nigeria, NICN,) in Abuja has adjourned proceedings until Tuesday to rule on a motion seeking to restrain workers under the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, from continuing their strike.
Recall that protesting workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Monday chased the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, who escaped from office through the back gate of the FCTA Secretariat.
The workers had gathered at the gate of the Secretariat since in the morning but were not aware that Wike may have sneaked into the office later in the day.
Checks revealed that upon learning that the Minister had slipped out of the office through the back gate, the angry protesters pursued his convoy to intercept him. The workers chanted repeatedly, “Ole! Ole!! Ole!!!”
Hieever, Justice Emmanuel Subilim fixed the ruling date after hearing arguments from counsel to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and lawyers representing the protesting workers. Mr. James Onoja, SAN, appeared for the claimants, while Mr. Maxwell Opara represented the defendants, the President and Secretary of the Joint Union Action Congress, JUAC, Rifkatu Iortyer and Abdullahi Saleh.
The suit, marked NICN/ABJ/17/2026, seeks an order compelling the striking workers to return to duty. The industrial action was prompted by unresolved welfare issues, including five months of unpaid salaries, promotion arrears, and poor working conditions.
