The National Industrial Court has barred workers under the auspices of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) from embarking on a planned mass protest against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and the FCT Administration (FCTA).
Justice Emmanuel Sibilim issued the interim order on Monday while ruling on an ex-parte motion filed by Wike and the FCTA.
The motion was brought against the NLC, TUC and their leaders, including Comrades Benson Upah, General N.A. Toro and Stephen Knabayi.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the application, dated February 2, arose from a suit marked NICN/ABJ/30/26, filed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, James Onoja, on behalf of the minister and the FCTA.
After hearing the applicants, Justice Sibilim granted an interim order restraining the 1st to 5th respondents, their agents or privies, from embarking on any strike or mass protest pending the hearing and determination of the 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 in the nation’s capital.
The matter was adjourned to February 10 for the hearing of the motion on notice.
According to the claimants, the Chairman of the FCT Council of the workers’ union had circulated a mobilisation message to union members and affiliates for a mass protest scheduled for February 3.
Onoja told the court that the move violated an earlier court order issued on January 27, which was served on the defendants on the same day.
He said despite the order, the NLC and TUC issued a joint statement directing affiliated unions to intensify and sustain the strike, citing an appeal filed by their counsel, Femi Falana, SAN, against the interlocutory ruling.
The lawyer further stated that the FCTA workers, operating under the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC), subsequently issued a circular instructing all employees to continue the industrial action.
“This action is aimed at causing a breakdown of law and order in the nation’s capital,” Onoja submitted.
The claimants told the court that the industrial action began on January 19, when workers locked the entrances to FCTA offices and the secretariat, shut schools and paralysed activities across departments and agencies, effectively bringing government operations to a standstill.
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