Some vulnerable FCT residents including the scavengers, beggars, petty traders, among others, have filed a suit against the minister, Nyesom Wike, demanding N500 million in damages over alleged breach of their fundamental rights.
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 public interest for the protection of vulnerable citizens in Nigeria.
The applicant sued Wike; Inspector-General (I-G) of Police; Director-General, Department of State Services (DSS) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) as 1st to 4th respondents.
The lawyer also joined the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Federal Government of Nigeria as fifth to sixth respondents respectively.
He is praying for an order awarding the sum of N500 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, 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).
