The National Industrial Court (NIC) in Abuja has issued an interim injunction barring the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and three individuals, Benson Upah, General N.A. Toro, and Stephen Knabayi, from organizing any form of industrial action or protest in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The ruling, delivered by Justice Emmanuel Sibilim, followed an ex parte application filed by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, and the FCT Administration, citing concerns over potential disruption to public order.
The motion, marked NICN/ABJ/30/26, was filed on behalf of the applicants by a team of lawyers led by James Onoja, SAN. The court restrained the respondents, their agents, or privies from participating in strikes, protests, or related activities pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
The court further directed the 5th to 9th defendants, who are security agencies, to ensure that law and order is maintained in the FCT. This follows claims that the Chairman of the FCT Council sent mobilization messages to union members ahead of a mass protest scheduled for February 3, which the claimants argued violated a subsisting court order.
The FCT Minister highlighted that a prior order issued on 27 January was ignored when the NLC and TUC allegedly circulated statements urging affiliated unions to intensify and sustain the strike, despite the injunction and a pending appeal challenging the restraining order.
Justice Sibilim’s injunction underscores the judiciary’s role in balancing the right to industrial action with the need to maintain peace and security in Nigeria’s capital. Legal experts note that the case illustrates the complex interface between labor rights, regulatory oversight, and law enforcement.
The NLC and TUC have not issued a formal response to the court’s latest order, while residents and businesses in Abuja await assurance that daily activities will proceed without disruption. Security agencies have reportedly heightened vigilance ahead of the planned protest date to prevent escalation and ensure public safety.
