The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled July 10, 2025, to deliver judgment in the N500 million lawsuit filed by vulnerable FCT residents against Minister Nyesom Wike and other security agencies.
Justice James Omotosho fixed the date after counsel to the plaintiffs, Adamu Mahmud, and defense lawyers, including B.E. Dakos representing Minister Wike, adopted their processes and presented arguments for and against the suit.
Details of the Lawsuit
The aggrieved residents, through lawyer Abba Hikima, sued Wike and the Inspector-General of Police as primary respondents, demanding N500 million in damages for alleged breaches of their fundamental rights. The lawsuit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1749/2024, also joined the Director-General of DSS, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Attorney-General of the Federation, and the Federal Government as respondents.
Hikima, who filed the suit in public interest, asked 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" as guaranteed under Sections 34, 35, 41 and 42 of the Nigerian Constitution.
Wike's Defense
In a counter affidavit deposed by Saidu Abdulkadir from the FCTA Legal Services Secretariat, Minister Wike urged the court to dismiss the suit entirely. The minister argued that the increasing presence of scavengers, beggars, and homeless people in the FCT poses serious security threats to residents.
According to Wike, many "purported scavengers" have been arrested for vandalizing private and public property, with some serving as spies for kidnappers, criminals, and terrorist organizations. He further contended that homeless people setting up makeshift shelters on streets and under bridges without approval violates FCT developmental laws.
"The said homeless people who reside and sleep on public roads and under the bridges without any proper form of toilet system, rely heavily on open urination and defecation which litter the streets of Abuja and threaten the environment and health of fellow citizens within the FCT," the affidavit stated.
Wike denied any breach of fundamental rights or dehumanizing treatment of vulnerable people in the FCT, stating there was no evidence of extortion, maltreatment, or detention presented before the court.
Security Agencies' Response
The Department of State Services (DSS), represented by counsel E.G. Orubo, vehemently denied all allegations in a counter affidavit deposed by operative Musa Usman. The DSS claimed it neither arrested Musa Aliyu (the deponent in the applicant's affidavit) nor participated in any joint security operation with other agencies on November 12, 2024, as alleged.
The DSS maintained that its operations are not conducted at the behest of the FCT minister and that it adheres to global best practices when carrying out its mandate without violating constitutional provisions.
Similarly, the NSCDC, represented by Laureata Nnabuchi, denied all allegations in its counter affidavit deposed by Goodness Akomolafe, stating it had not violated the applicant's fundamental human rights in any way.
The Attorney-General of the Federation also prayed the court to dismiss the reliefs sought by the applicant.
With all parties having presented their arguments, Justice Omotosho has reserved judgment for July 10, 2025, in what has become a significant case regarding the rights of vulnerable citizens in Nigeria's capital territory.
