The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), Abuja, has ordered workers under the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) in the Federal Capital Territory to suspend their ongoing strike.
The order followed an interlocutory injunction filed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the FCT Administration.
The suit was instituted against the Chairman of the Joint Union Action Committee, Rifkatu Iortyer, and its Secretary, Abdullahi Umar Saleh. The claimants sought an order restraining the union and its members from embarking on any form of industrial action, picketing or lockout.
Delivering his ruling on Tuesday, Justice E.D. Subilim held that while the matter constituted a trade dispute and met legal requirements, the right to strike was not absolute.
The judge ruled that once a dispute is referred to the National Industrial Court, workers are prohibited from continuing any industrial action pending the determination of the case.
“Where a strike is already ongoing, it must cease pending the determination of the suit,” Justice Subilim said.
He consequently granted the interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants and their representatives from further industrial action against the FCT Administration until the case is resolved.
