Some vulnerable FCT residents including 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 19 November 2024, but filed 20 November 2024, said he is suing in public interest for the protection of vulnerable citizens in Nigeria.
The applicant is suing Wike, the Inspector-General (IG) 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 5th to 6th 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, he said, are guaranteed under sections 34, 35, 41 and 42 of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as altered).
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 22 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”.
Hikima, in the affidavit he deposed to, averred that on 12 November 2024, at about 11 pm, while passing through Ahmadu Bello Way in Abuja, he personally sighted a convoy of a 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 said 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”.
