JAGISTS

A lawsuit has been launched against Minister Nyesom Wike by a number of underprivileged FCT citizens, including minor traders, beggars, and scavengers, alleging a violation of their fundamental rights and requesting N500 million in damages.

On behalf of the vulnerable citizens, a lawyer named Abba Hikima filed the complaint, designated FHC/ABJ/CS/1749/3024, before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday, Hikima, who was named as the applicant in the Nov. 19, 2024, originating motion but filed on Nov. 20, 2024, stated that he is suing for the protection of Nigeria’s most vulnerable individuals in the public interest.

Wike, the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) were sued by the petitioner.

Additionally, the attorney joined the Federal Government of Nigeria as the sixth respondent and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) as the fifth.

He is pleading for a court ruling that will grant N500 million in general and exemplary damages for the impacted citizens’ fundamental rights violations.

He asked the court to rule that “homeless people, scavengers, petty traders, beggars, and other vulnerable Nigerians living in the FCT are being violated in their fundamental rights by arbitrary arrest, detention without charges, harassment, and extortion.”

The rights, they said, are guaranteed under Sections 34, 35, 41 and 42 of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as altered).”

“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.”