Wike moves to jail striking FCT workers over alleged court order violation

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has taken legal action against striking workers in the territory, asking the National Industrial Court to order their imprisonment for allegedly defying a court directive.

Through his lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Ogwu Onoja, Wike secured a Form 48 notice, a legal document that spells out the penalties for disobeying a court order. The notice is expected to be served on the workers participating in the ongoing strike.

Form 48 is typically the first step in contempt proceedings and warns recipients that failure to comply with a court ruling could lead to arrest, detention, or imprisonment.

Part of the notice reads: “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 27th day of January 2026, you will be guilty of the contempt of court and will be liable to be committed to prison.”

The notice of consequence of disobedience of the court order, dated January 29, was signed by the Registrar of the Industrial Court, Mr Olajide Balogun.

Justice Emmanuel Subilim had on Tuesday ordered the workers to immediately suspend the strike pending the determination of the substantive suit, warning that a prolonged action could cripple government activities in the territory while the matter remained before the court.

The judge ruled that although workers have the right to strike in order to press home their grievances, the exercise of that right is not absolute.

‎Relying on Section 18(1)(b) of the Trade Dispute Act, Justice Subilim held that workers are barred from embarking on industrial action once a dispute has been referred to the National Industrial Court.

In the originating summons, the minister argued that the ongoing strike did not comply with the provisions of the Trade Disputes Act, further contending that the Joint Unions Action Committee is not a registered trade union.

The matter has been adjourned to March 25 for hearing.