Power-Drunk Minister Wike Sues JUAC Over Strike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dragged the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC) to the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), Abuja Division, over the ongoing strike and alleged acts of picketing and obstruction of government activities in the nation’s capital.

JUAC is an umbrella body comprising all trade unions and categories of employees within the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

The suit, marked NICN/ABJ/17/2026, was filed before Honourable Justice E. D. Subilim. The claimants are the Honourable Minister of the FCT and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), while the defendants are Rifkatu Iortyer and Abdullahi Umar Saleh, sued on behalf of JUAC.

According to court documents sighted by Ibom Focus, the Minister and the FCTA are seeking an order restraining the unions and their agents from engaging in picketing, lockouts, or any action targeted at the claimants, heads of departments, and political appointees.

The claimants accused the unions of attempting to cripple the activities of the FCTA by blocking vehicular movement, shutting down offices, and frustrating the administration of the Federal Capital Territory “by any means whatsoever.”

The originating processes further alleged that the continued actions of the unions, if unchecked, could lead to a total breakdown of administrative and economic activities in Abuja, thereby negatively affecting residents and the general public.

At the hearing of the application, counsel to the claimants appeared before the court, while the defendants were absent.
The legal team representing the Minister and the FCTA included Dr. Ogwu J. Onoja, SAN; M.A. Ebute, SAN; George Ibrahim, SAN; K.O. Mustapha, Esq.; and Esther Audu, Esq.

After listening to the submissions of counsel and examining the reliefs sought, the supporting affidavit, and the written address, Justice Subilim ruled that the applicants had established a case warranting the grant of the prayers before the court.

In a ruling delivered on January 21, 2026, the court granted leave to the claimants to serve the originating processes and all subsequent court processes on the defendants by substituted means.
The court ordered that service be effected through publication in Leadership newspaper or any other national daily circulating in Nigeria, as well as by pasting the processes at the premises of the Joint Unions Action Committee located at the FCTA Secretariat, No. 1 Kapital Street, Area 11, Garki, Abuja.

Justice Subilim further ruled that the substituted service shall be deemed good and proper service on the defendants. The matter was adjourned to January 26, 2026, for hearing of the motion on notice.
Meanwhile, the Joint Unions Action Committee has insisted that the strike action remains in force despite the court case instituted by the FCT Minister.
In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its Publicity Secretary, JUAC commended workers for complying with its directive to stay at home and declared that the industrial action would continue until all its demands are met.

“We sincerely appreciate you for complying with the directive to stay at home. The strike action continues until our demands are met,” the statement read.

The union also confirmed that it had been informed of the court action filed by the Minister.

“The union wishes to bring to the notice of all staff that the Minister of the FCTA has taken us to court,” JUAC said.
Maintaining a defiant stance, the labour body said it would not be intimidated or forced to abandon its demands.

“We will not relent in the struggle nor allow agents of oppression to cow us into submission. JUAC will not succumb to any form of intimidation or harassment by any means,” the statement added.
The union appealed to workers to remain united and continue to stay away from work pending further directives.
“We appeal for your cooperation. Do well to continue to stay at home until further directive from JUAC,” it said.