Court dismisses beggars, scavengers’ N500m suit against Wike

The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed the N500 million suit filed by some vulnerable FCT residents, including scavengers, beggars, petty traders, against the Minister, Nyesom Wike.

The presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, in a judgement on Friday, July 11, 2025, held that the suit filed by the prosecution lawyer, Abba Hikima, to enforce their fundamental rights, lacked merit.

Justice Omotosho held that there was no credible evidence in the court record to proof that the rights of the vulnerable people were breached by the defendants.

The judge further held that the only evidence attached to the suit by the applicants’ were online copies of newspaper reports which were not certified by the National Library in line with Section 156 of the Evidence Act.

“In relying on newspaper reports, a party cannot just print or buy a newspaper from vendor and bring it to court without being certified by National Library,” he said, adding that a newspaper report could be forged or doctored with the aim of seeking reliefs.

Justice Omotosho said: “This court will not waste its time relying on newspaper reports to prove the truth of the contents therein.

“It is hearsay evidence and no probative value will be ascribed to it.

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“This is a reasonable principle of law as allowing parties to rely on newspaper reports as basis for their suit will open a floodgate of litigations as all manner of persons would rush to court to file frivolous suits based on newspaper reports which may not be accurate.

“Thus the suit of the applicant is bound to fail.”

The aggrieved residents, through the lawyer, had sued Wike and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), among others, demanding N500 million in damages over alleged breach of their fundamental rights.

They 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 fundamental rights.”

The Star