Economy
High Court Fixes March 12 To Tule In Suit Seeking To Stop Wike From Arresting Commercial S£x Workers
High Court Fixes March 12 To Tule In Suit Seeking To Stop Wike From Arresting Commercial S£x Workers
High Court fixes March 12 to rule in suit seeking to stop Wike from arresting commercial s£x workers. Ms Joshua said AEPB had maintained that it only arrests s£x workers who are found standing on the streets of Abuja, waiting for their male clients.
The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has fixed March 12 for judgment in a suit seeking to stop FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) from arresting and prosecuting commercial s£x workers (CSWs).
Justice James Omotosho fixed the date after counsel for the plaintiffs and the defence presented their arguments for and against the case.
The plaintiff, under the auspices of the Incorporated Trustee of Lawyers Alert Initiative for Protecting the Rights of Children, Women and the Indigent, had instituted the suit.
The group sued the AEPB, FCT minister, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) as the first to fourth respondents, respectively.
The originating summons was brought pursuant to Order 3, Rule 6 and 9 of the FHC (Civil Procedure Rules, 2019; Sections 6(6)(b), 41(1), and 42 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court.
The group sought two questions in the suit dated and filed on May 14, 2024, by a team of lawyers led by Rommy Mom, Bamidele Jacobs and Victor Eboh.
The lawyers want 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.
“Whether by 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,” the lawyers said.
The lawyers, therefore, sought a declaration that the charge made by the personnel of the AEPB 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,” is discriminatory and violated the provisions 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 s£x work on the streets of Abuja.
They also sought 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 s£x work on the streets of Abuja.
They further sought a declaration that section 35(1) (d) of the AEPB Act, 1997, does not refer to women as “articles” or their bodies regarded as “goods for purchase.”
The lawyers, therefore, prayed the court for an order restraining the AEPB, its agents or privies from harassing, arresting and raiding women suspected of engaging in s£x work on the streets of Abuja.
They sought an order restraining the first respondent, her agents or privies from prosecuting women suspected of engaging in s£x work on the streets of Abuja under section 35(1) (d) of the AEPB Act, 1997.
They equally sought an order directing all the respondents to ensure proper application of the provisions of the Abuja Environmental Protect Act, 1997, by the first respondent.
A project assistant with R.A. Mom and Associates, Ayomide Joshua, in the affidavit she deposed to, said women were suspected of engaging in sex work on the streets of Abuja, leading to their harassment, arrest and prosecution by AEPB under Section 35 (1) (d) of the AEPB Act, 1997.
She said the cases are of national and international concerns, involving international organisations such as the United Nations, Amnesty International, the Open Society Fund, and over 30 local organisations.
Ms Joshua said although the women were prosecuted relying on section 35(1)(d) of the AEPB Act, which states that “any person who sells, displays, offers or carries for sale any goods or articles of trade at a road junction or any other unauthorised place is guilty of an offence.”
She alleged that AEPB had normalised the use of the police and other security agencies to arrest, harass and prosecute several women suspected of engaging in s£x work on the streets of Abuja under the section.
Ms Joshua said that the women who are arrested often do not have any goods for sale or wares on them.
She said AEPB, at the time of prosecuting these women, frequently accused them of prostitution and selling their bodies.
Ms Joshua said AEPB had maintained that it only arrests sex workers who are found standing on the streets of Abuja, waiting for their male clients.
“These women are often arrested alone, while the male counterparts are pardoned, despite being found in the same place at the same time,” she said.
According to her, the women are usually arrested with the assistance of the police and are not permitted to contact any relatives.
She said the determination of the case in favour of the applicant would put an end to the continuous harassment, intimidation and arrest of vulnerable women in Abuja by the board.
Ms Joshua said that a pre-action notice dated February 16, 2021, was served on AEPB before instituting the matter. She said it would be in the interest of justice to grant their reliefs.
But in a counter affidavit jointly filed by the minister, AEPB and FCTA by their lawyer, Betty Umegbulem, the respondents denied all the averments in the applicant’s affidavit.
Ahmed Gidado, a legal assistant who deposed to the counter affidavit, said the applicant did not file any case against the first to third respondents in 2019.
Mr Gidado argued that the exhibit attached therein was for a case filed by one Mirabel Ojimba and not the applicant.
He said the attached judgment copy was incomplete as the last pages were missing.
The lawyer said the applicant did not present any evidence to prove that any woman was harassed or arrested by the AEPB.
He said that contrary to the applicant’s argument, police officers are authorised, by law, to arrest any person they suspect to have committed an offence for the purpose of bringing him or her before a court of law for prosecution.
Mr Gidado said such a suspect can defend himself or raise any objection to their arrest at trial before a court.
He said all the information contained therein was hypothetical and speculative since the applicant was not the person arrested, and the deponent did not disclose the source of the information.
He argued that the applicant did not state how its fundamental human rights were violated and which of the rights was violated by the first to third respondents to warrant the filing of the action.
“The person (s) alleged to have been harassed, arrested or raided by the first to third respondents are not before the court to narrate their side of the story,” he added.
High Court
Mr Gidado, who argued that the applicant’s prayers were not in line with the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules 2009, said fundamental human rights cannot be enforced by another person who is not the victim of violation.
Also, the AGF, in his counter-affidavit deposed by Barnabas Onoja, a litigation officer, argued that all the facts presented by the applicant were untrue and misleading.
Mr Onoja said that contrary to the applicant’s submission, the AGF never received any pre-action notice from the applicant and that his office was only aware of the present suit upon receipt of the processes.
He said the AGF does not act as a supervisory officer over the activities of every security or federal government agency.
Eid-el-Fitr: NRC Sets To Run Three Lagos–Ibadan Train Trips Monday
Eid-el-Fitr: NRC sets to run three Lagos–Ibadan train trips Monday. He assured passengers of NRC’s continued commitment to safe, reliable, and efficient rail services.
This was contained in a statement issued on Friday in Lagos by NRC chief public relations officer, Callistus Unyimadu.
He said the additional trip was in response to high passenger turnout during the Eid-el-Fitr travel period.
“The extra trip is aimed at easing passenger movement and providing more travel options for commuters returning after the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.
“Under the schedule, departures from Lagos (Mobolaji Johnson Station, Ebute Metta) will be at 7.45 a.m., 1.40 p.m., and 4.00 p.m.
“From Ibadan (Obafemi Awolowo Station, Moniya), trains will depart at 8.00 a.m., 10.50 a.m., and 4.30 p.m.,” he said.
Mr Unyimadu assured passengers of NRC’s continued commitment to safe, reliable, and efficient rail services.
NRC Sets To Run Three Lagos–Ibadan Train Trips Monday
He advised travellers to arrive early, comply with ticketing and security procedures, and plan their journeys.
“The corporation appreciates the continued patronage of its services and wishes all passengers a safe and pleasant journey,” he added.
UBA, BII Sign Letter Of Intent To Explore Trade Finance Collaboration Across Africa
United Bank for Africa (UK) Limited (“UBA UK”) and British International Investment plc (“BII”), the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor, announced that they have signed a letter of intent to develop trade finance collaboration opportunities.
The proposed initiative aims to expand access to trade and working capital facilities for businesses operating across Africa.
Access to trade finance remains one of the most significant structural constraints on African trade. Businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, are frequently unable to secure letters of credit, guarantees, and supply chain finance on commercially viable terms, limiting their capacity to export and import competitively. This trade finance gap is estimated by the African Development Bank to be over USD 80 billion annually.
To help close this gap, UBA UK, the London subsidiary of UBA Group, Africa’s Global Bank, will leverage its deep relationships across the Group’s 20-country African network to originate and structure trade finance transactions. While BII, with a mandate to support productive, sustainable, and inclusive growth across Africa, can support transactions that might otherwise fall outside conventional commercial appetite.
“The signing of this letter with BII represents a landmark moment for UBA UK and for the UBA Group’s global ambitions. As the Group’s hub for Trade Operations, UBA UK is uniquely positioned to connect African businesses with the international financial system. Working alongside BII, we can extend that capability further — mobilising capital where it matters most and helping to close the trade finance gap that holds back so much African potential,” said Lok Mishra, Chief Executive Officer, UBA UK
“British International Investment is committed to catalysing private sector growth across Africa, and trade finance is a critical enabler of that growth. We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with UBA Group, whose pan-African network and deep institutional relationships can help advance our ambition to expand access to trade and working capital finance, particularly in frontier markets,” Chris Chijiuitomi, Managing Director and Head of Africa
The announcement builds on growing momentum around intra-African trade facilitated by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which entered into force in 2021 and represents one of the world’s most significant trade integration initiatives. Both institutions have identified the operationalisation of AfCFTA as a priority catalyst for a trade finance facility, with UBA UK’s network across major AfCFTA economies offering a basis for supporting businesses navigating the emerging continental market.
This also complements the UK Government’s broader engagement with African economic development, including commitments made at the UK-Africa Investment Summit, and reinforces the City of London’s role as a leading international finance centre for Africa-focused capital mobilisation.
Future cooperation remains subject to further assessment, due diligence and the completion of internal approvals by both parties.
ABOUT UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA (UK) LIMITED
UBA UK is the London-based subsidiary of United Bank for Africa Plc, one of Africa’s leading financial institutions with operations across 20 African countries, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France, and the United Arab Emirates. UBA UK serves as the Group’s hub for Trade Operations, providing a comprehensive suite of trade finance, treasury, and correspondent banking services to institutional and corporate clients worldwide.
UBA
ABOUT UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA GROUP
United Bank for Africa is one of the largest employers in the financial sector on the African continent, with 25,000 employees group-wide and serving over 45 million customers globally. Operating in twenty African countries, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France and the United Arab Emirates, UBA provides retail, commercial and institutional banking services, leading financial inclusion and implementing cutting-edge technology.
ABOUT BRITISH INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT
British International Investment is the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor. The organisation invests in businesses in developing countries to improve people’s lives and help protect the planet. BII’s work targets the underlying causes of poverty and the climate crisis, helping countries break free from aid dependency for good.
Between 2022-2026, at least 30 per cent of BII’s total new commitments by value will be in climate finance. BII is also a founding member of the 2X Challenge which has raised over $33.6 billion to empower women’s economic development.
The company has investments in over 1,600 businesses across 66 countries and total net assets of £9.87 billion. For more information, visit: www.bii.co.uk | watch here. Follow British International Investment on LinkedIn, Bluesky and X.
Eid-el-Fitr: President Tinubu Felicitates Muslims, Urges Renewed Unity, Patriotism
Eid-el-Fitr: President Tinubu felicitates Muslims, urges renewed unity, patriotism. Mr Tinubu called on Muslims to reflect on the spiritual lessons of Ramadan.
The president urged them to renew commitment to national unity, peaceful coexistence, and service to humanity as they celebrate the festival across the country on Friday.
This is contained in a statement issued by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday in Abuja.
Mr Tinubu called on Muslims to reflect on the spiritual lessons of Ramadan, noting that the holy month teaches discipline, sacrifice, compassion, and devotion to God and humanity.
He said: “We have a lot to draw from the noble lessons of Ramadan, especially at a time like this.
“We must continue to abide by the virtues of piety, selflessness, perseverance, kindness and compassion beyond this period.”
The president emphasised the need for Nigerians to remain united across religious and ethnic lines, stressing that national cohesion remains vital for sustainable peace and development.
He urged Muslims to extend acts of kindness and charity to the less privileged, irrespective of religious or ethnic background, in line with the enduring values of Islam.
Mr Tinubu noted that such gestures would strengthen social bonds, promote inclusiveness, and reinforce the spirit of brotherhood that defines the Nigerian society.
The president also called on religious leaders to use the occasion to offer prayers for peace, stability, and economic prosperity across the country.
Tinubu
He expressed optimism that with collective efforts, Nigeria would overcome its challenges and achieve lasting progress for the benefit of all citizens.
Mr Tinubu wished Muslims a joyous celebration, praying that the blessings of Ramadan would bring renewed hope, strength, and guidance to individuals, families, and the nation.
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