Metro

Court Dismisses Abuja Sex Workers’ Suit Against Wike

Published

3 months ago

March 12, 2025

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Wednesday, declined to legalise prostitution in the country, even as it dismissed a suit that sought to enforce fundamental rights of commercial sex workers in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.

The court, in a judgement that was delivered by Justice James Omotosho, while describing prostitution as an immoral act that is alien to the cultural values of all the ethnic groups in the country, said it found no reason to stop the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike and security agencies, from arresting those that engage in such illicit business.

According to the court, prostitutes have no legal rights to enjoy under any known law or the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended.

The judgement followed a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/642/2024, which the sex workers filed to bar the FCT Minister and the Abuja Environmental Protection Board, AEPB, from harassing, intimidating, arresting and prosecuting them.

Aside from Wike and the AEPB, other respondents in the legal action initiated on behalf of Abuja-based prostitutes by a Nongovernmental Organization under the aegis of Lawyers Alert Initiative for Protection of Rights of Children, Women and Indigent were the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, and the Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF.

Through their team of lawyers led by Mr. Rommy Mom, the Applicants prayed the court to enforce their right to prostitution, in line with all the fundamental human rights that were inured to them from the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

Specifically, the urged the court to determine whether the duties of the AEPB under Section 6 of the AEPB Act, 1997, extend to the harassment, arrest, detention and prosecution of women suspected of engaging in sex work on the streets of Abuja.

Also, under the provision of Section 35 (1) (d) of the AEPB Act, 1997, women can be regarded as articles or their bodies regarded as goods for purchase.

Upon the determination of the questions, the Applicants sought a declaration that a charge the AEPB entered before the FCT Mobile Court, which referred to arrested women suspected of engaging in sex work as “articles” and considered their bodies as “goods for purchase,” was discriminatory and a violation of Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution.

They sought a declaration that the duties of the board do not extend to the harassment, arrest and raid of women suspected of engaging in sex work on the streets of Abuja.

A declaration that neither Section 6 of the AEPB Act, 1997, nor any extant laws of the country authorise the board to arrest women suspected of engaging in sex work on the streets of Abuja.

The applicants also prayed the court to restrain the AEPB, its agents or privies from harassing, arresting and raiding women suspected of engaging in sex work on the streets of Abuja.

Also, to make an order directing all the respondents to ensure the proper application of the provisions of the Abuja Environmental Protect Act, 1997, by the first respondent, AEPB.

However, in his judgement on Wednesday, Justice Omotosho held that under the criminal law also known as the Penal Code, commercial sex workers are liable to be arrested and prosecuted for a jail term of two years.

He held that their application was incompetent as it did not comply with the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, 2009.

It was also the court’s position that the reliefs were not grantable, even as it dismissed the case for want of merit.

“This court wonders what kind of message the Applicant was sending when it decided to bring an action to protect prostitutes.

“A reasonable person would have expected that the Applicant would instead occupy itself with developing the girl child and protecting the sanctity of womanhood instead of promoting immorality and the spread of sexual diseases.

“It is indeed shameful that the applicant should file an action like this,” Justice Omotosho added.

Continuing, the judge said: “The women suspected of engaging in sex work on the streets of Abuja or prostitutes or vagabonds are by their actions committing an offence and thus their fundamental rights can be legally breached by the its respondent.

“Holding a different opinion would mean that a person arrested in the process of robbing others can claim to be entitled to his fundamental rights to personal liberty and freedom.

“This would cause anarchy and chaos In the society,” he said, adding assuming that prostitution is not an offense in the FCT, the rights of these prostitutes can legally be violated under Section 45 of the constitution, which allows the breach of a person’s right on the grounds of defence, public safety, public health, public order and public morality.

“It is a known fact that prostitutes are some of the clearest examples of indecency in society, and they are champions of immorality through their immoral dressing, exposing sensitive parts of their bodies, their use of vulgar language as well as the chief culprits in spreading sexual diseases.

“Allowing prostitutes to have free reign on the streets of Abuja will, in no time, destroy the moral fiber of the city and turn it into a hotbed of immorality.

“This court will not allow such to happen,” he said, adding that the court was not unaware that prostitution had been legalized in some Western nations, including in the Netherlands, where prostitutes are now entitled to pensions and other benefits.

“This is not so in Africa. The African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, one of the Statutes enforced by the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, is clear on what fundamental rights are in Africa.”

He held that, looking at the preamble to the charter, Africans’ culture must reflect their idea of what constitutes human rights.

“This philosophy is what is known as cultural relativism in the framework of human rights.

“The counterpoint to this is universality, which posits that human rights should be the same in all places and should apply to persons irrespective of their culture, religion, race, gender or other differences.

“The idea behind universalism is to ensure uniformity in human rights development. Universality of human rights directly led to the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the first global human rights document.

“While it is theoretically sound, universalism, if applied, would offend the unique cultures of some people.

“For instance, the right to same-sex marriage, which is acceptable in Western nations like the United Kingdom, will be deeply unacceptable to conservative and religious nations like Arab nations.

“Thus, cultural relativism means that these nations can choose which of these rights to adopt or not.

“This explains why some conservative nations exercise their right to reservation regarding several sections of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which are in conflict with their cultural beliefs.

Metro

Gunmen Kill Man, Burn Houses In Kwara

Published

17 minutes ago

June 10, 2025

Editor

Gunmen believed to be members of ‘Mahmuda’ group on Sunday attacked Karongi town in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara state, killed one person and burnt many houses in the community.

The bandits who invaded the town early in the morning reportedly killed a resident before setting some houses ablaze.

According to The PUNCH, the gunmen took advantage of the absence of the vigilantes in the community who had travelled to attend a workshop while others had travelled out to celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir outside the community.

It was further gathered that the gunmen who had a field day in the community between 6am and 11am were however dislodged by the combined team of soldiers and vigilantes mobilised from the adjoining settlements in the area.

Though the police feigned ignorance of Sunday’s attack in Karongi, the Nigerian Army confirmed the incident to our correspondent.

The Emir of Yashikira Emirate in Baruten Local Government Area, Alhaji Umoru Sariki, also confirmed the incident to The PUNCH.

The Emir who spoke in a telephone conversation on Sunday night said one person was killed during the attack while many houses were burnt.

Umoru said, “Yes, the bandits from Mahmuda group struck at about 6 am on Sunday. They attacked Karongi town in my Emirate. They killed one person and burnt many houses in the community.

“They took advantage of the absence of the vigilantes who had travelled for Sallah while some had also gone for training. They invaded the town for hours, from 6 am to 11 am. We have to go to the surrounding communities in the Emirate to mobilise local vigilantes who succeeded to chase them away at about 11o’clock.”

The Emir said that “the soldiers were far away adding, that the army was stationed in Chikanda which is far away from the community.”

When contacted earlier, the Police Public Relations Office in Kwara State Police Command, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said she was not aware of the attack.

She said, “I’m not aware of this incident. I will do my findings and get back to you.”

The Public Relations Officer of the 22 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Sobi, Ilorin, Lt. Stephen Nwankwo, however, confirmed the attack on Monday.

He said, “Yes, the incident happened. I’m aware. One of the vigilantes was killed while some makeshift houses were set ablaze by the gunmen. The soldiers were alerted about the incident and they went to the village. The person who was killed was one of the vigilantes who escorted the soldiers to the village.

“The bandits ran away on sighting the soldiers and escaped from the area”, the Army spokesperson said.

Metro

Tension Brews As Gov Bago Pardons 11 Murder Convicts

Published

35 minutes ago

June 10, 2025

Editor

The Gaba community in Lavun Local Government Area of Niger State are spoiling for war with her sister community, Amfani, also in Lavun LGA, following a state pardon granted to 11 deathroll convicts.

The Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago in what has been described as a judicial tsunami, granted an unconditional pardon to 11 Amfani sons who were sentenced to death by a competent court of law after they were found guilty of killing seven sons of Gaba community.

The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, made the pardon decision known via a statement which he made available to Arewa The PUNCH titled: “Governor Bago grants state pardon to 11 convicts.”

The statement which read in parts revealed that the “Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago has granted unconditional state pardon to 11 convicted persons who were sentenced to death.

“The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister. Nasiru Mu’azu disclosed this during a press briefing at the Government House, Minna.

“He explained that the convicts were involved in a communal clash between Gaba and Amfani communities of Lavun Local Government Area of the state, which led to the loss of lives and property.

“The Commissioner revealed that the state pardon is in exercise of the constitutional powers of the governor following a written request which was further reviewed between the governor and the state Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy.

“He said the State pardon is also part of the reconciliatory efforts to ensure lasting peace between both communities, adding that several meetings have been held and all issues have been resolved.

“Answering questions from the media practitioners on the fate of others with similar issues, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice advised such communities or individuals with similar issues to come up with a written request for consideration.

“He said the Instrument of Pardon was signed on the 28th of May 2025 and has been gazetted.

“Those granted state pardon are: Mohammed Mohammed, Nana Alhaji Sheshi, Isah Baba Nmadu, Mohammed Mohammed Ndabida, Abubakar Baba Salihu, Baba Mohammed Shaba, Adamu Mohammed Babaminin, Haruna Mohammed, Isah Mohammed, Alhaji Inuwa, Ibrahim Mohammed and Mohammed Isah,” Ibrahim stated.

However, shortly after the decision to grant the state pardon to the convicts was announced, all hell was let loose in the Gaba community as the youths took to the streets to protest the governor’s action, saying that the governor had set the stage for more bloodbath.

According to the chairman of the Gaba Development Association, Paul Gana, it took the intervention of elders in the community to dissuade the youths from taking the law into their hands.

In an open letter to the Niger State Governor signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Gaba Development Association, Isah Baba reminded the governor that the prerogative of mercy in the Nigerian constitution is not to be misused to undermine the sanctity of the Judiciary.

“We, the people of Gaba in Lavun Local Goverment, have decided to use this medium to air our grievances and not keep silent over the exercise of state pardon granted to convicted murderers of our kinsmen.

“Your Excellency, Farmer Governor, Umaru Bago, the murder of seven (7) innocent, unarmed individuals from Gaba community whose corpses were severely mutilated and body parts carted away by the convicted murderers is considered to be the most heinous crime that ever happend in the history of NUPE people.

“It took the intervention of community elders and well-meaning Nigerlites to stop a retaliation from Gaba youths and allow justice to run its course through the legal process. Those found guilty by court were meant to face the full weight of justice. But with the steps you were ill adviced to take today, we fear that your good name would bedraggedd in the mud.

“Your Excellency, the powers of prerogative of mercy as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is intended to serve as tool for justice and compensation in exceptional circumstances and not to be misused to undermine the sanctity of the Judiciary.

“Granting pardon to the eleven persons convicted for the offence of murder devalues the lives of the victims, disrespect their families, and erodes public confidence in the administration of state affairs through your leadership.

“This action will earn you the reputation of being the first governor in the history of Niger State to weaponise the power of state pardon to subvert and circumvent justice. It will go down in the history of Niger State as a reference point that in your tenure as governor, you created a backdoor escape for convicted murderers and criminals.

“It will also appear laughable your stance on the criminal activities in Minna that made your government to impose cufew on the operations of motorcycles and tricycles recently.

“More worrisome is the fact that it will undermine the sanctity of the judiciary and the painstaking process by which conviction was secured. It will dampen the morale of law enforcement agencies who investigated the case. It will trample on the rights and memories of the victims and their families, encourage Nigerlites to seek alternatives to get justice, and just maybe ignite another round of loss of lives and properties.

“This ill adviced action is sending a dangerous message that weighty crimes such as taking a human life can be absolved by the process of political or executive discretion.

“We need not remind you, Your Excellency, that your most important duty is to secure the lives and property of all Nigerlites and to ensure their well-being.

“In this instance, we are afraid to state that the State failed to secure the lives of the victims and now failed to give justice to them.

“Mr. Governor Sir, we call on you to reconsider this pardon, uphold the sanctity of the judicial process, and ensure that justice is not sacrificed on the altar of political convenience or vested interest,” Baba declared in the terse statement.
(PUNCH)

Metro

NDLEA Destroys Cannabis Farms, Arrests 39 Suspects In Edo

Published

15 hours ago

June 9, 2025

Editor

The Edo Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has destroyed two cannabis farms, arrested 39 suspected drug traffickers, and seized over 1.3 tonnes of illicit drugs in May.

Mr Mitchell Ofoyeju, the State Commander of the agency, disclosed this on Monday in Benin while presenting his first monthly operational scorecard.

Ofoyeju said those arrested included 18 males and 21 females.

He said that the two cannabis farms, measuring a combined 0.783 hectares, were located in Uzebba and Ohosu forests across Owan West and Ovia South West Local Government Areas, respectively.

He said that the Uzebba farm covered 0.266 hectares while the Ohosu farm spanned 0.517 hectares.

Ofoyeju noted that the major highlight of the operation was the interception of 74 and a half bags of cannabis sativa weighing 1,115 kilograms at Oke community in Ohunwude Local Government Area, following an intelligence report.

“The two suspects arrested in connection with the seizure are a 33-year-old Isaac Israel from Abak Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom, and a 19-year-old Precious Zion from Ogba Local Government Area in Rivers.

“In a separate raid at the Oluku area of Benin City, an 18-year-old Nigerien, Mohammed Isah, was also arrested for an unlawful possession of various drugs.

“The drugs are four grams of methamphetamine, 54 grams of cannabis sativa, six grams of tramadol tablets (100 milligrams), and 28 grams of Exol-5 tablets,” he said.

The NDLEA commander linked drug trafficking to rising violent crimes in the state.

He said the activity undermined public safety, investment opportunities, and placed heavy burdens on the law enforcement and the healthcare system.

“Drug control is germane to Gov. Monday Okpebholo’s fight against kidnapping and cultism in the state.

“The Edo Command of the agency will continue to work assiduously in ensuring a safe and secure society for all,” Ofoyeju said.

He reaffirmed the mandate given to him by the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retired), to dismantle cannabis cultivation syndicates and expand the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign.

Ofoyeju called for immediate and coordinated efforts to combat the risks associated with drug trafficking and abuse.

He also advocated proactive strategies and improved resource allocation to address drug and drug-related problems.