Justice Emmanuel Subilim of the National Industrial Court has issued an interim order restraining the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and three other respondents from embarking on any form of industrial action or protest.
The order followed an ex parte application filed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and the FCT Administration (FCTA). In his ruling, Justice Subilim restrained the 1st to 5th respondents, as well as their agents and privies, from embarking on a strike pending the hearing and determination of a motion on notice.
The court also directed the 5th to 9th defendants, who are security agencies, to ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order.
According to the ex parte motion filed by counsel to Wike and the FCTA, Ogwu Onoja, the Chairman of the FCT council had issued a mobilisation message calling on members and affiliated unions to participate in a mass protest scheduled for February 3. The applicants argued that the planned action violated an earlier court order.
Onoja told the court that following its ruling on January 27, the order was served on the defendants the same day. However, he said the NLC and TUC subsequently issued a statement directing all affiliated unions to intensify and sustain the strike.
The statement, jointly signed by both labour centres, instructed striking workers to continue the industrial action, citing an appeal filed by their counsel, Femi Falana, against the interlocutory ruling. He added that the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC) also issued a circular directing workers to remain on strike.
The applicants argued that the actions were aimed at causing a breakdown of law and order in the nation’s capital.
Justice Subilim subsequently adjourned the matter to February 10 for hearing.
