The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has told the Federal High Court in Abuja that the growing population of scavengers, beggars, and homeless individuals within the city constitutes a serious security threat to residents and undermines Abuja’s development master plan.
Wike made the submission in a counter affidavit filed in response to a N500 million human rights suit brought against him and other government agencies by a public interest lawyer, Abba Hikima, on behalf of vulnerable persons in the FCT. The affidavit, deposed to by Saidu Abdulkadir of the Legal Services Secretariat of the FCTA, urged the court to dismiss the suit in its entirety.
The plaintiffs accused security agents, acting on Wike’s orders, of arbitrary arrests, harassment, and degrading treatment of homeless persons, petty traders, and street beggars, which they claim violates constitutional rights under Sections 34, 35, 41, and 42 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
But Wike argued that many of the individuals described as vulnerable are involved in illegal activities, including vandalism, spying for criminals and kidnappers, and environmental degradation. He noted that their presence—especially under bridges and on public roads without sanitation facilities—poses health and security threats.
“Begging is not a trade recognised by law,” Wike stated, adding that hawking, illegal settlement construction, and open defecation violate the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) Act, 1997.
The minister said his administration has offered vocational training and rehabilitation programmes for the vulnerable through the FCT Vocational and Rehabilitation Centre in Bwari, but many individuals have refused to become self-reliant.
Wike also denied allegations of maltreatment, extortion, or illegal detention, insisting that no credible evidence had been presented to support such claims. He described the alleged victims named in the suit—Abdullatif Shehu, Hajiya Talatu Danladi, and Judith Samuel—as “faceless,” arguing that no proof of their existence or abuse had been provided.
Other respondents in the suit, including the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Attorney-General of the Federation, also filed counter affidavits denying any wrongdoing. The DSS specifically stated that it had not arrested or detained any of the individuals referenced and did not operate under the directive of the FCT Minister.
The lawsuit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1749/2024, seeks N500 million in general and exemplary damages, a public apology to affected citizens, and policy reforms to safeguard the rights of vulnerable Nigerians in the FCT.
Justice James Omotosho has yet to fix a date for ruling on the matter.
