SOME STREET BEGGARS including scavengers and petty traders, in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, filed a suit against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyeson Wike, demanding N500 million over alleged human rights violations.
A legal practitioner, Abba Hikima, filed the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1749/3024 before Justice James Omotosho of a Federal High Court in Abuja on behalf of the vulnerable residents.
Hikima, listed as the applicant in the originating motion dated Nov. 19, 2024, but filed Nov. 20, 2024, said he is suing in the public interest to protect vulnerable citizens in Nigeria.
The applicant sued Wike, the Inspector-General (I-G) of the Police, the Director-General, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) as the first to fourth respondents.
The lawyer also joined the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and the Federal Government of Nigeria as fifth to sixth respondents, respectively.
He is praying for an order awarding the sum of five hundred million as general and exemplary damages for the violation of the fundamental rights of the affected citizens.
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.
The rights that 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 under the spirit and purpose of Sections 35, 41, and 42 of the Constitution.”
He is, therefore, 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 out to them under the directive of the 1st respondent (Wike) dated October 22, 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.”
Hikima, in the affidavit he deposed to, averred that on Nov. 12, 2024, at about 11 pm, while passing through Ahmadu Bello Way in Abuja, he sighted a convoy of joint task force security operatives and enforcement officers, including personnel of the military and police, arresting numerous individuals perceived as homeless persons, scavengers, and beggars.
He alleged that those arrested include hawkers of goods such as ice cream, sweets, and biscuits; petty traders conducting lawful businesses along the roadside; and persons dressed in ways reflecting their economic hardship or appearing homeless.
According to him, in my presence, these individuals were forcefully apprehended, verbally harassed, and subjected to physical threats in full view of all passersby, thereby creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation.
He said he felt devastated as a human rights lawyer and decided to trail the task force’s motorcade from a reasonable distance to Eagle Square along Shehu Shagari Way, where they dropped off the victims.
He said he went back to the place where these persons were arrested and was able to get in contact with some of the victims.
He said on Nov. 15, 2024, he organised a meeting with three of the victims, namely, Abdullatif Shehu, Hajiya Talatu Danladi, and Judith Samuel, whose testimonies were recorded and verily believed to be correct and true.
The lawyer said the minister gave a directive for the arrest on Oct. 22, 2024, and that it was in the guise of enforcing the directive that the joint task force was constituted to carry out the directive.
According to him, it is not a crime to be homeless, beg or embark on a petty trade in Nigeria.
He said the homelessness, begging, and petty trading for which the trio of Abdullatif, Talatu, and Judith were arrested, detained, and humiliated was occasioned by the harsh and unbearable government policies being experienced all over the country.
Hikima also attributes their plights to the government’s failure and ineptitude in providing vulnerable Nigerians with security and decent lives. The lawyer urged the court to grant their reliefs in the interest of justice to protect the fundamental rights of citizens and ensure accountability for the respondents’ actions.
When the matter was called, Usman Chamo, who appeared for the applicant, told the court that the matter was fixed for hearing.
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Chamo said all the respondents had been duly served.
A.P. Korobo-Tamono, who appeared for DSS equally informed the court that a counter affidavit was filed and served on the applicant’s counsel.
However, no lawyer appeared for the minister, I-G, NSCDC, AGF, and the FGN.
Justice Omotosho, who ordered that a hearing notice be issued and served on the respondents who were not represented in court, adjourned the matter until February 4 for a hearing.
The Explainer reported in October that the Socio-Economic Rights Accountability Project urged the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, to withdraw his threat to arrest beggars in the nation’s capital or face legal action.
The group, in a post on its official X handle, #SerapNigeria, on Wednesday, stated that no one should be criminalised for their socio-economic status.
SERAP added that the Minister should instead provide opportunities to help them rebuild their lives and reintegrate into society.
