The National Industrial Court in Abuja on Monday restrained the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress from embarking on any strike or protest within the Federal Capital Territory.
Justice Emmanuel Sibilim, who delivered the ruling, also barred three labour leaders—Benson Upah, General N.A. Toro and Stephen Knabayi—from taking part in the planned action.
The interim injunction followed an ex parte application jointly filed by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, and the Federal Capital Territory Administration.
The motion, marked NICN/ABJ/30/26, was argued by a legal team led by James Onoja (SAN), who urged the court to halt the proposed protest pending the hearing of a motion on notice.
In its order, the court restrained the respondents and their agents from embarking on any industrial action, while directing security agencies listed in the suit to ensure that law and order are maintained in the FCT.
The applicants told the court that labour leaders had allegedly mobilised workers and affiliated unions for a mass protest scheduled for February 3, despite an existing court order restraining industrial action.
They argued that the proposed protest amounted to a violation of an interlocutory injunction earlier granted on January 27, directing striking workers to resume duty.
The court subsequently adjourned the substantive matter till February 10 for hearing.