Industrial Court Stops FCTA Workers’ Strike Over Unpaid Entitlements

By Sofiat Adenekan-Abdul

The National Industrial Court in Abuja has ordered the leadership of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) workers’ union to suspend its ongoing strike.

In a ruling delivered on Thursday, January 21, 2026, Justice E. D. Subilim granted an interim injunction restraining the union, its leaders and members from striking, picketing, blocking roads or taking any action that could disrupt FCTA operations.

The strike was called earlier in the week by workers under the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC) over unpaid promotion arrears and other entitlements.

The order followed an application by the Minister of the FCT and the FCTA. Their lawyer, Dr Ogwu J. Onoja (SAN), argued that the strike was illegal and would paralyse the administration.

The JUAC President, Rifkatu Iortyer, and Secretary, Abdullahi Umar Saleh, were absent from court. As a result, the judge approved substituted service of court documents through publication in a national newspaper and posting at the JUAC office in the FCTA Secretariat, Garki.

The court also raised questions about whether the strike complied with the Trade Disputes Act and whether JUAC, which is not a registered trade union, has the legal authority to call a strike.

The case has been adjourned to Monday, January 26, 2026, for further hearing.

A union leader, who asked not to be named, said the workers would defend their actions in court.