Vulnerable FCT Residents Sue Wike, Demand ₦500 Million For Rights Violation

A group of vulnerable Abuja residents, including scavengers, beggars, and petty traders, have filed a ₦500 million lawsuit against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, alleging violations of their fundamental rights.

The suit, marked ‘FHC/ABJ/CS/1749/2024’, was filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja by legal practitioner Abba Hikima on behalf of the affected individuals.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, on Tuesday, Hikima stated the action was initiated to protect the rights of vulnerable citizens and is a matter of public interest.

The respondents in the case include Wike, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), and the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Allegations of Inhumane Treatment

Hikima is requesting the court to declare the arrest, detention, harassment, and extortion of homeless individuals, scavengers, petty traders, and beggars as violations of their rights under Sections 34, 35, 41, and 42 of the 1999 Constitution.

According to the suit, the actions of the joint task force allegedly included verbal harassment, physical threats, extortion, and detention without charge.

These, the lawyer argued, constitute inhumane and degrading treatment prohibited under the Constitution.

He prayed the court to declare that “the arbitrary arrest, detention without charges, harassment and extortion of homeless persons, scavengers, petty traders, beggars and other vulnerable Nigerians resident in the FCT, constitute a violation of their fundamental rights.

“A declaration that the treatment of vulnerable citizens, including verbal harassment, physical threats, extortion, and detention without charge, constitutes inhumane and degrading treatment contrary to Section 34 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

“A declaration that Nigerians regardless of their economic status, place, birth or appearance, have the liberty to move freely in the FCT, Abuja including the liberty to sleep on public roads without let, permission or hindrance whatsoever in accordance with the spirit and purpose of Sections 35, 41 and 42 of the Constitution.”

Reliefs Sought

The applicants are seeking: “An order directing the respondents to issue a public apology to the affected individuals and Nigerian citizens at large for the inhumane, arbitrary and unconstitutional treatment meted on them pursuant to the directive of the 1st respondent (Wike) dated the 22nd October, 2024.

“An order mandating the respondents to set in motion and implement immediate policies and reforms, including public education for the realisation of the fundamental human rights of vulnerable Nigerians residing in Nigeria.”

In his affidavit, Hikima stated that on November 12, 2024, at approximately 11 pm, while passing through Ahmadu Bello Way in Abuja, he personally witnessed a convoy of joint task force operatives, including military and police personnel, arresting numerous individuals perceived as homeless, scavengers, and beggars.

He claimed that those apprehended included hawkers selling items such as ice cream, sweets, and biscuits, as well as petty traders conducting lawful business along the roadside. Others arrested were individuals whose appearance suggested economic hardship or homelessness.

Hikima alleged that the individuals were forcefully taken into custody, verbally harassed, and subjected to physical threats in full view of passersby, creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation.

As a human rights lawyer, he said he felt deeply disturbed by the incident and decided to follow the task force’s motorcade at a safe distance to Eagle Square along Shehu Shagari Way, where the victims were dropped off.

Testimonies and Advocacy

Hikima further stated that he interviewed three victims—Abdullatif Shehu, Hajiya Talatu Danladi, and Judith Samuel—whose accounts confirmed the alleged violations.

He attributed their plight to government policies and the failure to provide adequate security and livelihoods for vulnerable Nigerians.

The lawsuit also challenges the directive issued by Wike on Oct. 22, 2024, which reportedly led to the task force’s formation.

Hikima argued that homelessness, begging, and petty trading are not crimes and should not be treated as such.

Court Proceedings

When the matter came up for hearing, the applicant’s counsel, Usman Chamo, informed the court that all the respondents had been served.

A.P. Korobo-Tamono, representing the Department of State Services (DSS), confirmed filing a counter-affidavit, which had also been served on the applicant’s counsel.

However, legal representatives for the Minister, the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), and the Federal Government of Nigeria were absent.

Justice James Omotosho directed that hearing notices be issued to the absent respondents and adjourned the matter to February 4, 2025, for further proceedings.