By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Vulnerable residents of Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, Abuja including scavengers, beggars, street hawkers and others have accused the city’s Minister of breach of fundamental rights, slamming him with N500 million ($320,000) in damages.
Nyesom Wike, a former Governor of Rivers State, South-South Nigeria though a prominent leader of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is serving in the President Bola Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC) as FCT Minister and has been accused of several infractions, including land grabbing.
Known for his verbosity in national affairs, Wike a former Minister of State for Education is currently in a running battle with his anointed successor governor of his oil-rich Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara.
Since his appointment in 2023 as the Minister of FCT, he has embarked on several reforms to give the nation’s capital a face-lift especially in infrastructure, phasing out street trading and demolishing illegal structures.
A legal of the displaced beggars and street hawkers, Abba Hikima, filed the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1749/3024 before Justice James Omotosho of a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Hikima, listed as the applicant in the originating motion dated Nov. 19, 2024, but filed Nov. 20, 2024, said he is suing in public interest for the protection of vulnerable citizens in Nigeria.
In addition to Wike, also listed as respondents include, Inspector-General (I-G) of Police; Director-General, Department of State Services (DSS) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Also joined as respondents are the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Federal Government of Nigeria.
He is praying for an order awarding the sum of N500 million ($320,000) 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, 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.”
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 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.”
