WIKE SEEKS CONTEMPT CHARGES AGAINST STRIKING FCTA WORKERS

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has requested the National Industrial Court to commit striking workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to prison for allegedly defying a standing court order.

The workers resumed their strike despite a January 27 order by Justice Emmanuel Subilim, which directed them to suspend industrial action pending the determination of a suit filed by the Minister.

To enforce compliance, Wike’s legal team, led by Ogwu Onoja SAN, obtained Form 48 a “Notice of Consequence of Disobedience of Court Order” warning the workers that they could face contempt proceedings and imprisonment.

The notice, dated January 29, was signed by the Registrar of the Industrial Court, Olajide Balogun.

Justice Subilim had earlier ruled that strikes must be halted once disputes are referred to the Industrial Court, citing Section 18(1)(E) of the Trade Disputes Act. He stressed that the public interest in maintaining industrial peace outweighs any inconvenience caused by suspending strikes.

Despite the ruling, the workers argued that they had filed an appeal against the order and continued their industrial action. Wike’s counsel countered, stating that only an express stay of execution could justify resuming the strike and insisting that court orders must be obeyed.

The substantive case has been adjourned to March 25, 2026. Meanwhile, the strike, which began on January 19, has disrupted operations across the FCTA Secretariat, its departments, agencies, area councils, and parastatals.

The current standoff raises the prospect of contempt proceedings as the Industrial Court considers enforcement measures against the workers’ defiance.