The National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja yesterday issued an order of interim injunction barring the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, from embarking on any form of industrial action or protest in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
The court, in the ruling delivered by Justice Emmanuel Sibilim, also restrained three others, Mr. Benson Upah, General NA Toro, and Stephen Knabay, who were listed as respondents in the matter.
The order followed an ex parte application jointly filed by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, and the FCT Administration.
The motion, marked NICN/ABJ/30/26, was moved on behalf of the applicants by their team of lawyers, led by Mr. James Onoja, SAN.
Specifically, the court restrained the 1st to 5th respondents, their privies or agents from embarking on strike pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice. It further directed the 5th to 9th defendants who are security agencies, to ensure there was no break down of law and order in the FCT.
The Claimants told the court that the Chairman of the FCT Council had sent a message of mobilisation to members and affiliated unions for a mass protest scheduled for February 3.
They insisted that the action amounted to a violation of a subsisting order of the court.
The FCT minister noted that the extant order of the court was made on January 27, following which he said the NLC and TUC issued a statement to all affiliated unions to intensify and sustain the strike, citing an appeal they lodged to challenge the restraining injunction.
He insisted that the aim of such directive was to cause a breakdown of law and order in the nation’s capital.
Meanwhile, the court has adjourned the substantive case till February 10 for hearing.
