The leadership of workers in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has criticised a ruling of the National Industrial Court, saying it failed to adequately address alleged violations against employees.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, union spokesman Benson Upah reacted to the court’s decision in a case involving the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and employees of the FCT Administration (FCTA).
The court ordered the suspension of an ongoing strike action by the workers and adjourned the matter until 25 March 2026.
Mr Upah said while unions recognised that court decisions may not satisfy all parties, the principle of justice required that the concerns of workers also be addressed.
He accused the court of failing to make pronouncements on what he described as “continuous offences” committed against FCT workers by the FCTA. Among the allegations is the non-remittance of National Housing Fund (NHF) deductions, which he said contravenes the NHF Act and attracts financial penalties and possible jail terms for responsible officials.
The union also alleged violations of the Pension Reform Act 2014, which requires pension deductions to be remitted within seven working days after salaries are paid. According to Mr Upah, failure to do so attracts financial penalties that should be credited to workers’ retirement savings accounts.
Mr Upah said there were other alleged violations which the union chose not to disclose at this stage.
He described the court’s refusal to grant injunctive relief, combined with what he called a “long adjournment”, as damaging to the workers’ cause. He further alleged that shortly after the ruling, the FCT Minister issued threats of dismissal to striking workers, creating what he termed a “toxic situation” for dialogue.
The union rejected suggestions that the ruling would weaken workers’ resolve, urging members to remain steadfast.
The FCT Administration has not yet publicly responded to the union’s claims.
The case is expected to resume at the National Industrial Court in March.
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