Court adjourns N500m suit filed by scavengers, beggars against Wike

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday, adjourned a suit filed by some vulnerable FCT residents, against the Minister, Nyesom Wike, until May 5 for hearing. The aggrieved residents comprised of scavengers, beggars, petty traders, among others. They sued the minister, the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, among others, demanding N500 million in damages over alleged breach of their fundamental rights. Justice James Omotosho adjourned the suit after counsel for the plaintiff, Usman Chamo, informed the court that the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) had just served him with its counter affidavit. Chamo said he would need more time to file a response to the application. The lawyers, who appeared for the defence, did not oppose the application and the matter was adjourned until May 5 for hearing. The NSCDC (civil defence), in its counter affidavit deposed to by Goodness Akomolafe, denied all the allegations. In the application dated and filed April 15, the civil defence said it had not violated the applicant’s fundamental human rights in any way. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a legal practitioner, Abba Hikima, filed the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1749/3024 before Justice Omotosho 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; I-G; Director-General, Department of State Services (DSS) and NSCDC as 1st to 4th respondents in his bid to stop their alleged arbitrary arrest on Abuja streets. 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, 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.” Hikima averred that on Nov. 12, 2024, at about 11pm, on the Ahmadu Bello Way in Abuja, he sighted a motorcade 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 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, the 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 contacts of 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 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.

Compensation fraud: Abuja indigenes demand probe of FCDA boss

Some indigenes of the FCT have called for an investigation into alleged compensation fraud relating to demolished Gishiri Village, Abuja. A total of 455 houses and structures standing on a road corridor in the village were demolished to give way for a road project. Media reports alleged that victims of the demolished houses and structures, were being defrauded by officials of the FCDA. The reports emanated from a meeting between the FCT Minister and leaders of the community. At the meeting, Mr Richard Dauda, the acting Executive Secretary of the authority particularly identified as the culprit. Reacting to the development, the indigenes, in a joint statement in Abuja on Tuesday, called on the FCT Minister to investigate the claim. According to them, the full investigation of the alleged fraud is necessary to determine the veracity of the claim and bring the culprit to book. The statement was jointly signed by the President of Abuja Original Inhabitants Youths Empowerment Organisation, Isaac Isaac, and Youths Leader, FCT Youths Network, Mr Umar Makeri. Others are the Women Leader, Abuja Original Inhabitants Women Association, Sarki Yemi and Chief Ambassador, Abuja Grassroots Ambassadors and Coalition of Nigeria Youth on Security and Safety Affairs, Mr Yunusa Yusuf. The group called for a probe into the fraud allegations, insisting that the FCDA Executive Secretary was wrongfully accused. They called for fair hearing to enable Dauda to exonerate himself from the alleged fraud linked to him. The group argued that a press release from the Director of Press, Office of the Minister, had completely absolved the FCDA boss of any fraud. According to the group, the emphasis was on fair compensation for owners of demolished structures in Gishiri Village, irrespective of their indigenisation status. “We the civil society organisations in the FCT have taken interest in the demolition, compensation and relocation of affected persons from Gishiri Village. “We have done our investigations and can tell you that nobody was paid before demolition was carried out. “While we believe that the media has the responsibility of holding government officials accountable, they also owe it to the people to present the facts as they are.” The group commended the FCT minister for increasing the compensation funds from N655 million to N1.3 billion, stressing the need for social justice and equity. They, however, said that they would not stand by and watch while an innocent person was being wrongfully accused. “Is the Executive Secretary responsible for paying compensation? Is that not the responsibility of the Department of Resettlement and Compensation? “Why then is the Executive Secretary of FCDA dragged for what he is not directly responsible for? “We, therefore, call for a thorough investigation of all those involved in the compensation payment, where everyone involved will be given an opportunity to present their own case,” the statement said. 

50 Apprehended Manhole Vandals shall be prosecuted – Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has vowed that the 50 individuals detained for vandalising roads facilities would face prosecution. Media reports on Monday indicated that the Nigerian Police in Abuja announced the detention of 50 suspected vandals, who were caught with 25 manhole covers and solar streetlights. Reacting to the development, Wike said that the detained suspects would face the full wrath of the law to serve as a deterrent to others. In a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Mr Lere Olayinka, the minister emphasised that no criminal would be spared. The Minister assured that the FCT Administration would ensure that all buyers and users of the stolen manhole covers and other public infrastructure would be apprehended. According to him, the culprits would be prosecuted for economic sabotage and for endangering the lives of Nigerians. He described the detention of the 50 suspected vandals by the police as a demonstration of the FCTA’s zero-tolerance policy toward criminal activities, particularly the vandalisation of public amenities. Wike commended security agencies for their prompt and decisive actions, calling their collaborative efforts “fantastic.” “This is an assurance to the residents of the FCT that their lives and property are secure,” he stated. The minister also lauded Nigerians for showing patriotism by speaking out against vandalism, emphasising that the protection of public amenities was a collective responsibility. He urged residents of the FCT to continue using social media positively, as demonstrated by one individual who alerted authorities about the stolen manhole covers. He pledged that the Administration would act swiftly on similar incidents in the future. “Those stealing and buying amenities meant for the use of Nigerians are Nigerians themselves.