Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has been dragged to court by a group of vulnerable residents in Abuja, including scavengers, beggars, and petty traders.
The group is seeking N500 million in damages, accusing Wike of violating 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, according to the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday, listed as the applicant in the originating motion dated Nov. 19, 2024, but filed Nov. 20, 2024, said he is suing in the 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 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.