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FCT workers risk imprisonment over continued strike
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National Industrial Court issues Form 48 warning notice
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Court says strike violates Trade Disputes Act
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has approached the National Industrial Court (NIC), seeking an order to commit striking FCT workers to prison for allegedly defying a court directive to resume work.
Through his counsel, Ogwu Onoja, SAN, the minister obtained Form 48, a statutory notice warning that continued disobedience of the court order could attract contempt proceedings.
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READ ALSO: FCT Workers Defy Court Order, Sustain Strike Despite Wike’s Intervention
The notice, dated January 29, 2026, and signed by the Registrar of the National Industrial Court, Mr. Olajide Balogun, is to be served on the striking workers and their labour unions.
Part of the notice warned that failure to comply with the court’s directive would amount to contempt of court.
“Take note that unless you obey the directions contained in the order of Justice E.D. Subilim of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria delivered on January 27, 2026, you will be guilty of contempt of court and liable to be committed to prison,” the notice stated.
Justice Emmanuel Subilim had earlier ordered the workers to suspend the ongoing strike immediately, pending the determination of the substantive suit before the court.
In his ruling, the judge held that allowing the strike to continue would cripple government activities within the FCT, while acknowledging that although workers possess the right to strike, such a right is not absolute.
He cited Section 18(1)(b) of the Trade Disputes Act, which prohibits industrial action once a dispute has been formally referred to the National Industrial Court.
In the suit filed by the FCT minister, the administration argued that the strike failed to comply with statutory provisions of the Trade Disputes Act.
It further contended that the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC) leading the strike is not a legally recognised or registered trade union.
The matter has been adjourned to March 25, 2026, for hearing.
