Abuja Continental Hotel: Monday’s Meeting With TUC Will Violate Court Order

Ejiofor Alike

Abuja Continental Hotel has clarified that the meeting between its management and officials of the Trade Union Congress (TUC, which was scheduled for Monday, October 12, 2026 will violate the order of the National Industrial Court (NICN).

In a statement issued yesterday, the Cluster Director of Human Resources, ‘Niyi Agoro, the management of the hotel noted that after the disruption of its business activities on August 24, 2026 by TUC and the subsequent patriotic intervention of the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Minister of Labour and Employment, which advised dialogue, the management agreed to a date for engagement with the union, in good faith.

The statement however disclosed that subsequent to that agreement, the subject matter became sub judice before the National Industrial Court of Nigeria.

According to the statement, in the enrolled order of the court, Paragraph 3 expressly provides that “an order of interim injunction is hereby made restraining all parties to maintain the peace and not to take any steps that will jeopardise this suit.”

 The statement noted that the order was duly served on all relevant parties, adding that as a law-abiding corporate citizen, the hotel management will not take any step that may be construed as overreaching the court, prejudicing the due administration of justice, or amounting to contempt.

The management insisted that it was committed to dialogue within the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) channels provided and guaranteed by the NICN.

“We hold the respectful view that external interference through meetings convened outside the Court’s ADR framework while the case is pending would prejudice the due administration of justice and violate the spirit of the subsisting order,” the management said.

“We have formally communicated this legal position, with copies of the enrolled order, to the Minister of Labour and Employment, the relevant security agencies and the leadership of the Trade Union Congress,” the statement added.

The management of the hotel insisted that it had not abandoned dialogue, adding that it was committed to dialogue within the ADR channels provided and guaranteed by the court.

It expressed its commitment and readiness to participate fully in any process that the National Industrial Court of Nigeria may direct.

The statement described the welfare, safety, dignity and professional growth of the workers as the foundation of the business of the Abuja Continental Hotel, adding that the hotel was built by its people.

“We have no policy, written or unwritten, that prohibits staff from exercising their constitutional right to freedom of association, and at no time have we victimised any employee on account of union affiliation. The insinuation that the Hotel is anti-labour is incorrect and does not reflect our history of excellent employer-employee relations and investment in staff welfare, training and well-being,” the statement explained.

“Finally, we wish to assure our esteemed guests, clients, corporate partners and the general public that Abuja Continental Hotel is safe, secure and fully operational. Normal business activities continue without hindrance. The security and comfort of every guest in our facility, and the safety of our staff, remain our paramount responsibility, and we have taken all necessary measures with relevant security agencies to ensure uninterrupted, world-class hospitality services,” the statement added.