The National Industrial Court has ordered the suspension of the ongoing strike by workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and adjourned the substantive suit to March 25, 2026.
The ruling followed a suit instituted by the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory against workers and employees of the FCTA over the industrial action.
In its decision, the court directed that the strike be suspended pending the determination of the case and fixed March 25, 2026, for further hearing.
Reacting to the ruling, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) expressed dissatisfaction, particularly over the absence of interim reliefs addressing what it described as statutory violations by the FCTA.
In a statement signed by its Acting General Secretary, Mr. Benson Upah, the NLC alleged that the FCTA failed to remit deductions made from workers’ salaries to statutory funds, including the National Housing Fund (NHF) and pension contributions.
According to the NLC, the NHF Act requires employers to remit housing fund deductions within one month of deduction, noting that failure to do so constitutes an offence punishable by fines and possible imprisonment of responsible officers.
The Congress also cited the Pension Reform Act 2014 (as amended), which mandates that pension contributions be remitted within seven working days after the payment of salaries, with penalties accruing for any default.
The NLC further noted that the court did not grant any injunctive relief in favour of the workers, a development it warned could negatively affect workers’ welfare while the case remains pending.
It also alleged that following the court ruling, the Minister of the FCT issued threats of dismissal against workers, a situation the labour body described as detrimental to industrial harmony and dialogue.
Despite the court order, the NLC urged workers to remain united and vigilant, while placing institutions and individuals allegedly violating pension and housing fund laws on notice of possible engagement.
The case has been adjourned to March 25, 2026, for further proceedings.
