In a Lawsuit Against FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, SERAP Demands an End to Demolitions in Abuja and Attacks on Beggars.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has initiated legal proceedings against Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), regarding what it characterizes as “the apparently ongoing unlawful demolitions of so-called shanties and the assaults on beggars in Abuja.” In a statement, SERAP contended that these actions infringe upon the rights of vulnerable populations and urged the minister to “immediately cease the demolitions and assaults and uphold the rule of law.” Furthermore, SERAP asserted that Wike’s methods compromise due process and disproportionately affect impoverished individuals who are already enduring significant challenges. Through this lawsuit, SERAP seeks a judicial order to compel the minister to terminate these activities, emphasizing that “the minister must immediately halt the demolitions and assaults and uphold the rule of law.” The statement declares, “We are suing Nyesom Wike, minister of the FCT, over the apparently ongoing unlawful demolitions of so-called shanties and the assaults on beggars in Abuja. “The minister must immediately cease the demolitions and assaults and uphold the rule of law.” In related developments, reports indicated that on November 8, some residents of the FCT protested against the alleged appropriation of land from impoverished individuals by Minister Nyesom Wike. The disgruntled residents, along with human rights advocates, criticized the FCT administration under Wike’s governance for “seizing land in communities predominantly inhabited by the poor.” A lawyer and human rights advocate present among the demonstrators, Mr. Deji Adeyanju, called upon President Bola Tinubu to intervene and prevent the FCT minister from enforcing policies that displace numerous residents from their homes. Additionally, social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, condemned the oppression faced by the impoverished residents of the FCT whose land has been appropriated by Wike’s administration.