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FCT: Court Bars NLC, TUC, Others From Embarking On Planned Protest
Justice Emmanuel Danjuma Sibilim of the National Industrial Court, Abuja, has restrained the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, Trade Union Congress, TUC, and three others from embarking on any form of industrial action or protest in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.
The three others restrained by the court on Monday are Comrades Benson Upah, General N.A. Toro, and Stephen Knabayi. Justice Sibilim issued the order following an ex-parte application filed by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, and the FCT Administration against the labour unions and their leaders, dated February 2.
The motion, drawn from Suit No: NICN/ABJ/30/26, was filed by Dr. Ogwu James Onoja (SAN) on behalf of the Minister and the FCTA.
After hearing the Claimants, Justice Sibilim granted an interim order restraining the 1st to 5th respondents and their agents or privies from embarking on any strike pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice. The court also directed the 5th to 9th defendants, who are security agencies, to ensure law and order is maintained in the FCT.
The Claimants told the court that the Chairman of the FCT Council of Labour Unions had sent a mobilization message to members and affiliated unions for a mass protest scheduled for February 3, which they said violates previous court orders.
According to the Claimants, following a ruling on January 27, the court’s order was served on the defendants the same day. Despite this, the NLC and TUC issued a statement directing all affiliated unions to intensify and sustain the strike.
The joint statement, signed by both unions, instructed striking workers to resume the strike, citing that the unions’ counsel, Femi Falana (SAN), had filed an appeal against the interlocutory ruling. Following this, JUAC issued a circular directing all employees to continue the strike.
The Claimants argued that this action was aimed at causing a breakdown of law and order in the nation’s capital. Meanwhile, the court has adjourned the matter until February 10 for the hearing of the motion on notice. The FCT Minister and FCTA said the application was predicated on the fact that:
“On January 19, 2026, workers employed by the 2nd Claimant, acting under the aegis of the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC), commenced an industrial action by locking entrances to offices and the secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, including schools and all departments and agencies of the 2nd Claimant, thereby bringing governmental functions and activities to a standstill.”
They noted that being law-abiding, the Claimants instituted action at the National Industrial Court, Abuja, in Suit No: NICN/ABJ/17/2026 between the FCT Minister & Anor v. Rifkatu Iortyer & Anor, wherein the court on January 27, 2026, granted an interlocutory injunction restraining JUAC, its affiliate unions, and employees of the 2nd Claimant from further industrial action and ordered them to resume work pending the substantive suit.
“Immediately the order was served, the 1st Defendant, acting through the 3rd Defendant, issued a directive titled: ‘REINFORCEMENT DIRECTIVE TO ALL AFFILIATE UNIONS IN THE FCT,’ urging workers to resume industrial action.”
“On January 28, 2026, the 1st and 2nd Defendants jointly issued another directive titled: ‘DEFEND YOUR RIGHTS WITH COURAGE AND DIGNITY: WE ARE WITH YOU,’ directing workers to resume industrial action and disregard the National Industrial Court order of January 27, 2026.”
“JUAC, the umbrella body for the employees and affiliate unions, followed these directives and instructed members to resume strike, as documented in the directive dated January 28, 2026, signed by Comrade Abdullahi Umar Saleh, Secretary, JUAC.”
“Acting on these directives, the 5th Defendant, as chairperson of the 1st Defendant FCT Council, issued a directive on January 31, 2026, mobilizing members for a mass protest in the FCT on February 3, 2026, at 7:00 am. This action was intended to cause chaos, disrupt law and order, and prevent the smooth administration of the 2nd Claimant.”
The Claimants expressed apprehension over potential lawlessness, obstruction of vehicular movement, and violation of the rights of residents, including those in the private sector, other government establishments, expatriates, and tourists, prompting them to seek judicial intervention.
His Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar II, has announced the date for Eid al-Fitr in Nigeria.
The Emir, who is the Chairman of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria, has not reported the sighting of the crescent moon of Shawwal, 1447AH, today, Wednesday, the 29th of Ramadan .
This was contained in a statement posted on the Facebook page of the Daular Usmaniyya , signed by the Wazir of Sokoto and Chairman of the Religious Affairs Committee of the Sultan’s Palace, Professor Sambo Wali Junaidu.
The statement stated that the Sultan’s Palace Moon Sighting Committee had not received any reliable reports of moon sightings from anywhere in Nigeria. According to this information, Thursday, March 19, will be the day to complete the 30th day of Ramadan.
The Sultan of Sokoto has declared Friday, March 20, 2026, as the day of the lesser Sallah, i.e. the 1st of Shawwal 1447AH.
He urged Muslims to use this time of Eid al-Fitr to pray for peace, unity, and sustainable development in Nigeria.
The statement said: “His Eminence, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar CFR, mni, and Chairman, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has received the moon sighting report, which showed that the crescent moon was not sighted today, Wednesday.
“Accordingly, he declared Friday, March 20, 2026, as 1 Shawwal 1447AH (the Day of the Small Prayer). He also congratulated the Nigerian Muslim community on the occasion, and wished them the guidance and blessings of God.”
“He also called for continued prayers for peace, progress, and development of the country . He also wished Muslims a peaceful and prosperous Eid. May Allah (SWT) accept our acts of worship, amen.”
Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri approves ₦19.6 billion Mother and Child Specialist Hospital in Yola The Adamawa State government says the hospital aims to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates in Adamawa State Fintiri explains that the facility will serve as a training center and improve healthcare services in the North-East.
Yola, Adamawa State – Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State has approved the construction of a state-of-the-art Mother and Child Specialist Hospital in Yola. The proposed Mother and Child Specialist Hospital will cost the state ₦19.6 billion, and it’s expected to be completed within 52 weeks. The landmark project is designed to significantly strengthen maternal, neonatal, and child healthcare services across the state.
The project aligns with Governor Fintiri’s commitment to reducing maternal and infant mortality rates. The hospital will also improve access to quality healthcare and position Adamawa as a referral hub for specialized medical services in the North-East region.
As reported by Daily Trust, the hospital will be equipped with modern medical technology and specialized units when completed.
The state governor explained that the hospital capable units to handle high-risk pregnancies, neonatal intensive care, pediatric emergencies, and other complex medical cases affecting women and children. Mother and Child Specialist Hospital will also serve as a training and research centre for healthcare professionals.
It will help to strengthen capacity and improve the quality of medical services within the state’s health sector. It will offer other healthcare services like advanced diagnostic and laboratory services, fully equipped operating theatres, intensive care units, emergency response facilities, and modern inpatient wards designed to provide quality care for patients.
Recall that Fintiri’s administration executed over 100 infrastructural, educational, health, and social projects across Adamawa state, transforming both urban centres and rural communities. The administration completed major road networks, flyovers, and township roads, including the Lamido Aliyu Mustapha Flyover, Yola, and the Nyibango-Yolde Pate Road in Yola South.
Over 100 new primary health care centres were built, while hospitals such as Numan General Hospital and Specialist Hospital, Yola, underwent comprehensive development and modernisation.
King Charles III ceremonially welcomed Nigerian President Bola Tinubu at Windsor Castle on Wednesday in the first state visit by the leader of Africa’s most populous nation in nearly four decades.
Tinubu has made less formal visits to Britain several times in his tenure, and the two countries remain major partners in trade, aid and defence. London is also home to a massive Nigerian diaspora.
King Charles and Queen Camilla greeted the president and his wife in Windsor, west of London, on a sunny afternoon as artillery fired Salutes
The Nigerian president and his wife earlier chatted with heir-to-the-throne Prince William and his wife Catherine at a hotel in Windsor.
The party then rode in carriages to the historic Windsor Castle, followed by cavalry in red and gold livery.
These include a Yoruba beaded throne presented to Queen Elizabeth II during an official visit in 1965.
They were also to view photographs of a Yoruba woman known as Sarah Forbes Bonetta, who became a protegee of Queen Victoria after being captured as a slave and taken to Britain by a naval captain.
In the evening, Charles and Tinubu were set to give speeches at a lavish state banquet.
‘Renewed chapter’
Nigeria’s presidency said the visit signalled a “renewed chapter” and reflected a shared commitment to “advancing trade and strengthening diplomatic ties”.
Calling the visit “historic”, London announced Nigerian companies, including banks, are expanding operations and creating hundreds of jobs in Britain, strengthening it as a global hub for African business.
Likely on the agenda are issues ranging from major Nigerian port renovations backed by Britain as well as trade, which reached £8.1 billion ($11 billion) in the year to September 2025, an 11.4 per cent year-on-year increase.
On Thursday, Tinubu is expected to meet British Prime Minister Keir Starmer as well as members of the Nigerian community abroad, according to the official schedule.
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, a Christian pastor, is set to preach at London’s Lambeth Palace — the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury — on Thursday and meet representatives of the Church of England.
The last Nigerian state visit to the UK took place in 1989, although Tinubu was received by Charles in September 2024.
Before the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in 2022, Charles also visited Nigeria four times as Prince of Wales.
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