A national industrial court in Abuja has ordered workers on the payroll of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to halt their protest.

The presiding judge, Emmanuel Subilim, ruled on Tuesday that, while the case before the court constituted a trade dispute, the defendants’ ability to engage in industrial action was not absolute.

He held that once a dispute has been referred to the national industrial court, any existing strike must cease awaiting the resolution of the case..

“An order of interlocutory injunction is hereby granted, restraining the claimants and representatives from further embarking on any industrial action against the claimant,” Subilim ruled.

“The order shall remain in force, pending the determination of this suit.”