Abba Hikima, a lawyer, sues Minister Nyesom Wike over alleged wrongful arrests, harassment, and detention of scavengers and petty traders in Abuja. He seeks ₦500 million in damages, a public apology, and reforms. The case, filed in the Abuja Federal High Court, highlights concerns regarding government policies on homelessness.
A legal practitioner, Abba Hikima, has filed a lawsuit against Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), over alleged wrongful arrests and harassment of scavengers and traders in Abuja. The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1749/2024, was filed at the Abuja Federal High Court on November 20, 2024. Hikima, who represents vulnerable citizens, claims the arrests violated their rights.
The suit also names the inspector-general of police, the director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) as defendants. The case stems from an incident on November 12, where Hikima witnessed a joint task force arresting homeless people, hawkers, and petty traders along Ahmadu Bello Way at around 11 PM. According to the affidavit, these individuals were subjected to physical threats, and verbal harassment, and detained at Eagle Square.
Hikima argues that homelessness, begging, and petty trading should not be criminalized, as these issues are often due to government policies and neglect of vulnerable citizens' needs. He is seeking ₦500 million in damages, a public apology, and reforms to protect the rights of these individuals. Furthermore, he wants the court to declare the arrests unconstitutional.
The case was adjourned to February 4, 2025, after the respondents failed to appear in court. The judge ordered hearing notices to be issued to the unrepresented parties.
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