The Digest:
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike, has initiated contempt proceedings against striking workers of the FCT Administration (FCTA). The move follows the workers' refusal to comply with a January 27 order from the National Industrial Court, which restrained their ongoing strike pending the determination of a suit filed by the Minister. Wike's lawyer, Dr. Ogwu James Onoja (SAN), has obtained and served a "Form 48" notice, warning the workers that continued disobedience could lead to imprisonment. The workers had resumed their strike on January 19 over unmet demands, despite the court ruling.
Key Points
- The escalation directly threatens the liberty of union leaders and participating workers, introducing a severe personal risk beyond labour disputes.
- It signals a hardening of the government's stance, potentially using judicial coercion to break the strike and deter future industrial actions in the public sector.
- The union leaders face immediate legal peril, while the government aims to assert the primacy of court orders over collective bargaining tactics.
- The action tests the enforcement power of the National Industrial Court and sets a precedent for resolving public sector strikes through contempt charges.
- The timing, amid stalled negotiations, replaces dialogue with legal confrontation, potentially prolonging the disruption to FCTA services.
Sources: Daily Post, Daily Trust
