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Wike Drags FCTA Workers’ Union to Court as Strike Escalates
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has instituted legal action against the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC) of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) over the ongoing strike by FCTA workers, pushing the industrial dispute into the courtroom.
The suit, filed at the Abuja Division of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, is slated for hearing on Monday.
Workers of the FCTA and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) commenced an indefinite strike on Monday after the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to FCTA management, a development that has crippled activities across major government offices in the nation’s capital.
Following the strike, operations at the FCTA Secretariat were shut down, while operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigeria Police Force were deployed to barricade the premises and restrict access.
Although the FCTA management claimed that most of the workers’ demands had been addressed, JUAC rejected the assertion, maintaining that several critical issues remained unresolved.
Court documents obtained on Thursday revealed that the case, marked NICN/ABJ/17/2026, is being handled by Justice E. D. Subilim. The claimants in the suit are the FCT Minister and the FCTA, while the defendants are the JUAC President, Rifkatu Iortyer, and the Secretary-General, Abdullahi Saleh, sued in their representative capacities.
In their application, Wike and the FCTA are seeking an order restraining the unions and their officials from picketing, obstructing access, locking out offices, or engaging in any actions capable of disrupting the operations of the FCTA, its departments, political appointees and senior officials.
The claimants accused the unions of blocking access roads, sealing offices and paralysing the effective administration of Abuja.
At the initial hearing, counsel to the claimants were present, while the defendants were absent. The FCTA was represented by a legal team led by Ogwu Onoja, SAN, alongside M.A. Ebute, SAN; George Ibrahim, SAN; K.O. Mustapha, Esq.; and Esther Audu, Esq.
After reviewing the affidavits and written submissions, Justice Subilim held that the applicants had established a prima facie case and granted leave for substituted service of court processes on the defendants.
In a ruling delivered on January 21, the court directed that service be effected through publication in Leadership Newspaper or any other national daily, in addition to pasting the processes at the JUAC office within the FCTA Secretariat at No. 1 Kapital Street, Area 11, Garki, Abuja. The court ruled that such service would be deemed valid and proper.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to January 26, 2026, for the hearing of a motion on notice.
Meanwhile, JUAC has vowed to sustain the strike action despite the legal challenge.
In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its Publicity Secretary, Holina Adejoh, the union leadership commended workers for complying with the directive to stay away from work.
“We sincerely appreciate you for complying with the directive to stay at home. The strike action continues until our demands are met,” the statement read.
The union acknowledged awareness of the court action initiated by the FCT Minister but insisted it would not be intimidated into calling off the strike.
“We will not relent in the struggle nor allow agents of oppression to cow us into submission. JUAC will not succumb to any form of intimidation or harassment,” the statement added.
JUAC further urged workers to remain united and continue to observe the strike directive until further notice.
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has approved a new round of appointments and promotions with immediate effect, as part of efforts to strengthen governance and enhance institutional performance in the state.
The development was announced in a statement released on Monday by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.
According to the statement, Abubakar Ibrahim Matawalle has been appointed as the Acting Director-General of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board. Matawalle, a retired permanent secretary, previously served in a similar role and also held office as the board’s executive secretary. He was described as a seasoned administrator who rose through the civil service ranks from Assistant Secretary to Permanent Secretary before retiring in 2014, after eight years in the position. The statement noted his strong track record in the effective management of Hajj operations.
Governor Yusuf also approved the promotion of Yusuf Mukhtar to the rank of Permanent Secretary.
In another appointment, Barrister Rahama Malam Alhaji was named Provost of the Kano State Anti-Corruption Institute. She was praised as an accomplished legal practitioner with over seven years’ experience spanning litigation, corporate law, electricity law, regulatory compliance and dispute resolution. The statement highlighted her professional background across both public and private sectors, including her time at the Kano Electricity Distribution Company and her role as Head of the School of Law at Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria. She holds a Master of Laws degree in International Law and was credited with pioneering initiatives such as the establishment of a Law Clinic and a Student Bar Association.
The governor further approved the promotion of veteran Kannywood actress Aina’u Ade from Special Assistant to Senior Special Assistant on Kannywood Affairs, citing her impressive performance and dedication in her previous assignment.
The statement said the latest appointments and promotions reflect the administration’s resolve to reinforce governance structures and ensure the efficient management of public institutions. Governor Yusuf urged the beneficiaries to justify the confidence reposed in them through diligence, transparency and unwavering commitment to the Kano First Agenda.
The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) has issued a public alert over a fraudulent LinkedIn account impersonating its Director-General, Professor John Oladapo Obafunwa, urging Nigerians to disregard and report any communication linked to the fake profile.
In a statement released on Saturday by the Institute’s Media Consultant, Mr Sam Eferaro, NIMR disclosed that the impostor account has been sending misleading messages to unsuspecting individuals, falsely offering procurement opportunities, contracts and other business-related engagements.
According to the statement, the attention of the Institute was drawn to the existence of the fake LinkedIn profile posing as the Director-General, adding that all messages emanating from the account are entirely fraudulent.
NIMR cautioned members of the public against engaging with any messages purportedly sent by Professor Obafunwa through LinkedIn or other unofficial platforms, particularly those soliciting business dealings or financial commitments.
The Institute further emphasised that all legitimate interactions with vendors, contractors, partners and the public are conducted strictly through recognised and official institutional channels, in line with established public service procedures.
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has dismissed calls by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria demanding the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, over comments he allegedly made concerning genocide.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its National Secretary, Bishop David Bakare, the PFN described the demand as unfounded and unjustifiable, stressing that Prof. Amupitan, like every Nigerian, is constitutionally entitled to express opinions on matters of national interest, regardless of his public office.
The Fellowship maintained that the remarks attributed to the INEC chairman had no link to his official duties, noting that they were unrelated to elections or electoral processes, which fall within the scope of his professional responsibilities.
“We strongly oppose such calls because Prof. Amupitan, as a citizen of Nigeria, has the right to speak on issues he perceives as affecting the nation, irrespective of his appointment or position,” the statement said.
PFN further condemned suggestions that the INEC chairman should be removed on the basis of personal views expressed outside his official mandate, warning that such actions could set a dangerous precedent where public officials are penalised for holding or expressing independent opinions.
The organisation also cautioned against interpreting national discourse through religious perspectives, arguing that such an approach risks deepening societal divisions and threatening peaceful coexistence.
“We must guard against profiling individuals or judging them based on religious considerations. Prof. Amupitan has the right to express his views, and this should not come at the expense of his office,” the statement added.
The Fellowship urged stakeholders to exercise restraint and mutual respect in addressing sensitive national issues, emphasising that unity, fairness, and peaceful engagement must remain central to public discourse.
PFN reaffirmed its commitment to justice and national cohesion, calling on Nigerians to uphold democratic values in responding to differing opinions on matters affecting the country.