The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, has taken decisive legal action to enforce compliance with a recent court ruling by filing contempt charges against striking workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
This move comes in response to the workers' continued industrial action, which defies an order from the National Industrial Court of Nigeria mandating the suspension of the strike.
The court, presided over by Hon. Justice O. O. Oyewumi, issued the order on January 27, 2026, directing the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC) and all FCTA staff to immediately cease the strike and resume duties pending the resolution of the underlying dispute.
Despite this directive, some workers have persisted in blocking access to government facilities and disrupting public services in Abuja.
Through his legal counsel, Dr. Ogwu James Onoja, SAN, Minister Wike has served Form 48, a formal notice of the consequences of disobeying a court order on the union leaders and striking workers. The notice warns that failure to comply could result in committal to prison for contempt of court, as stipulated under Nigerian law.
"We cannot allow anarchy to prevail in a democratic society," stated Minister Wike. "The strike has been hijacked by political elements, and it is imperative that we uphold the rule of law. Any worker who refuses to resume duties will face the full weight of the law, and those blocking our gates will be made scapegoats to set an example."
The FCTA had previously engaged in negotiations with the unions to address their grievances, including outstanding allowances and other welfare issues.
Minister Wike emphasized that substantial progress had been made, but the escalation to strike action necessitated judicial intervention to prevent further disruption to essential services in the nation's capital.
The Minister urged all FCTA staff to prioritize the public interest and return to work immediately, assuring them that the administration remains committed to resolving outstanding matters through dialogue and legal channels. Enforcement of the court order will commence without delay, with contempt proceedings to follow for non-compliance.
The FCT Administration calls on residents and stakeholders to support efforts to restore normalcy and ensure uninterrupted delivery of public services.