Justice Emmanuel Danjuma Sibilim of the National Industrial Court in Abuja on Monday granted a restraining order against the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and three other parties, effectively barring them from conducting any form of protest or industrial action in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The judge issued this ruling while handling an ex parte application submitted by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, along with the FCT Administration, against the unions and their leaders.
The order also targets Comrades Benson Upah, General N. A. Toro, and Stephen Knabayi.
The ex parte motion, dated February 2, derives from case number NICN/ABJ/30/26, which was filed by Dr. Ogwu James Onoja, SAN, representing the Minister and the FCT Administration.
After hearing from the Claimants, Justice Sibilim issued an interim order preventing the first through fifth respondents and their agents from initiating strikes until the motion on notice is fully heard and resolved.
Additionally, the court directed the involved security agencies (sixth to ninth defendants) to ensure that peace is maintained and that no civil unrest occurs within the FCT.
In an affidavit supporting the application, the claimants alleged that the Chairman of the FCT Council of labour unions had communicated a mobilization directive for a mass protest scheduled for February 3.
The claimants argued that this action would breach previous court orders.
They pointed out that after a ruling delivered on January 27, the court's order was served to the defendants, who, on the same day, issued statements instructing affiliated unions to sustain their strikes.
A joint statement from both unions instructed their members to continue the strike, indicating that Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, had filed an appeal against the earlier ruling.
Following this directive, JUAC sent out a notice instructing all workers to persist with the strike, which they stated could lead to disruptions in law and order in the nation's capital.
The court has scheduled the hearing for the motion on notice for February 10.
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