The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has approached the National Industrial Court seeking an order to commit striking workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to prison for allegedly disobeying a court order halting their industrial action.
The move followed the workers’ decision to resume their strike despite an order issued by the court on January 27, directing them to suspend the action pending the determination of a suit filed against them by the FCT Minister.
To underscore his position, Wike obtained Form 48—a statutory notice outlining the consequences of disobeying a court order—which is to be served on the striking workers. The document was procured on his behalf by a senior advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Ogwu James Onoja of the Bar and Bench Chambers, Abuja.
Form 48, titled “Notice of Consequence of Disobedience of Order of Court,” warns that failure to comply with the order of the National Industrial Court could result in contempt proceedings and possible imprisonment.
The notice reads in part: “Take note that unless you obey the directions contained in the order of Honourable Justice E. D. Sublimi of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria delivered on the 27th day of January, 2026, you will be guilty of contempt of court and will be liable to be committed to prison.”
The notice, dated January 29, was signed by the Registrar of the National Industrial Court, Mr. Olajide Balogun.
Justice Emmanuel Danjuma Sublimi had, on January 27, ordered the FCTA workers to suspend their strike action following an application by the FCT Minister, who sought a directive compelling them to return to work. The court ruled that all industrial actions must cease once a dispute has been referred to the National Industrial Court.
Citing Section 18(1)(e) of the Trade Disputes Act, Justice Sublimi held that the filing of an originating summons amounts to a referral of the dispute and mandates the suspension of any ongoing strike. He warned that failure to comply with the provision could attract sanctions, stressing that public interest and industrial peace outweigh any inconvenience caused by halting the strike.
Despite being served with the court order, the workers reportedly resumed the strike four days later, citing a notice of appeal filed at the Court of Appeal against the ruling. However, Wike’s legal team rejected the justification, insisting that the appeal does not operate as a stay of execution.
According to the minister’s lawyers, only an express order staying the execution of the court’s ruling can justify the continuation of the strike. They urged the workers to obey the law to avoid contempt proceedings, noting that “court orders are not made in vain and must be obeyed for order and sanity to prevail.”
Justice Sublimi adjourned the substantive suit to March 25, 2026, for hearing.
The FCTA and Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) workers had commenced the industrial action on January 19, shutting down activities across Abuja over what they described as unmet demands by the Federal Government. The strike affected FCTA secretariats, departments, agencies, area councils, and parastatals across the FCT.
