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.
UBEC Unveils Multi-Million Naira Smart School In Jigawa
UBEC unveils multi-million naira smart school in Jigawa. Ms Garba said the project marked a milestone in ongoing efforts to reposition basic education in the country.
The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has inaugurated a multi-million naira Smart School in Hadejia, Jigawa State, reaffirming the federal government’s commitment to digital education.
The executive secretary of UBEC, Aisha Garba, inaugurated the school and handed it over to the Jigawa State government on Wednesday, in Hadeja.
Ms Garba said the project marked a milestone in ongoing efforts to reposition basic education in the country.
“The event represents another significant milestone in the federal government’s ongoing efforts to reposition basic education as a strong foundation for national development.
“The Smart School integrates ICT-enabled classrooms, modern laboratories, e-libraries, robotics and innovation hubs, and inclusive facilities for learners with special needs,” she said.
According to her, the Hadejia facility brings UBEC Smart Schools to 30 nationwide, with one in each state, eight model schools across the geo-political zones, and two in the FCT.
Ms Garba described the Smart School programme as a flagship reform initiative aimed at transforming teaching and learning through modern infrastructure, digital technology, and innovative pedagogy.
She reaffirmed UBEC’s commitment to equipping Nigerian children with knowledge, skills, and values needed to thrive in the 21st century.
Ms Garba said the initiative was conceived to improve learning outcomes and serve as a benchmark that states could replicate to enhance education quality nationwide.
She said UBEC, in collaboration with State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEB), and the federal ministry of education, is laying foundations for technology-driven learning.
Ms Garba thanked the ministers of education, Tunji Alausa and Suwaiba Ahmad, for their leadership and support for smart education implementation.
She said the Hadejia Smart School, a State Model II facility, would cater for pre-primary, primary, and junior secondary learners, including children with special needs.
UBEC
“The school features smart classrooms, laboratories, vocational facilities, health services, play areas, utilities, and secure learning spaces.
“Beyond infrastructure, the programme prioritises quality teaching and effective school management,” she added.
The UBEC boss said UBEC would support states through training, ICT skills development, and professional guidance to ensure competent staffing.
Ms Garba commended Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State for his support and collaboration in establishing the school.
She said the state’s provision of land, security, and coordination demonstrated commitment to improving learning outcomes.
Ms Garba said the commissioning marked a new phase, urging proper utilisation, maintenance, and sustainability to achieve intended impact.
Mohammed Idris Says “Census No Longer Optional For Nigeria, Data Key To Planning”
Mohammed Idris says “Census no longer optional for Nigeria, data key to planning”. The federal government says a national population and housing census is not optional for Nigeria, noting that it is critical to effective planning and sustainable development.
Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, spoke on Tuesday in Abuja during a courtesy visit by Aminu Yusuf, chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC).
The minister said accurate data is critical to effective national planning.
“Data is key to whatever planning you intend to do; if you can’t measure, you can’t plan and if you can’t plan, the results are predictable, therefore, census is not optional for us,” he said.
Idris commended the NPC’s commitment to preparedness and transparency, assuring that President Bola Tinubu will proclaim a new census date at the appropriate time.
“We are waiting for the president’s proclamation, which is the basis for the legal and financial framework of the exercise,” he said.
“The ministry and its agencies stand ready to provide full media and communication support once that announcement is made.”
Yusuf said the visit was aimed at strengthening institutional collaboration and enhancing media partnerships ahead of the forthcoming national census and other activities of the commission.
He thanked the minister for granting audience to the NPC delegation despite his tight schedule, describing the gesture as “a demonstration of his enduring commitment to national development, responsive governance, and public service”.
The NPC chairman commended the federal ministry of information and national orientation and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) for their roles in public enlightenment and mobilisation during preparations for the previously scheduled census.
He also praised government-owned media organisations under the ministry’s supervision for amplifying census messages nationwide.
“This collective effort clearly demonstrated how coordinated government communication can build trust, stimulate participation, and promote national ownership of vital public programmes,” Yusuf said.
He assured the minister that the commission has remained operationally focused and technically prepared despite the postponement of the census.
According to him, the NPC continues to refine its processes to ensure a transparent, efficient, and credible census once a new date is announced by the federal government.
Yusuf said the commission is also strengthening the civil registration and vital statistics system to ensure real-time registration of births and deaths nationwide.
Census No Longer Optional
He said sustained government media support through dedicated airtime and coverage across broadcast and digital platforms is needed to deepen public awareness of the commission’s programmes.
Responding, Idris reaffirmed the ministry’s readiness to support the NPC’s communication and advocacy efforts.
“Our partnership with the National Population Commission is key; we are only performing our duty, we do not even have an option,” the minister said.
“This is the mandate that we have as ministry of information and national orientation, to be in the forefront of advocacy of government policies and programmes.
“The ministry of information and national orientation is ever ready to partner with you to ensure a very credible national census.”
In July 2023, the NPC chairman, after meeting with Tinubu, said the nation’s leader would announce new dates for the census.
In April 2025, Tinubu inaugurated a high-level committee for the exercise.
The last time Nigeria conducted a census was in 2006 under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Abel Damina Reveals The True Ways Of Prosperity, Divine Favor
Abel Damina reveals the true ways of prosperity, divine favor. Any Pastor who tells you that God will make you rich is a liar and fraudster.
We have stated that divine intervention alone cannot make one rich but skills and hard work.
Dr Abel Damina has severally through his teachings raised controversies in the world especially in the Christian community, challenging conventional beliefs about prosperity and divine favor.
There’s nothing you can do for God to make you rich; He makes nobody rich. He can only give you favors with people, but remember when the favor comes you have to have this skill and the ability to handle it.
Dr Damina asserted that financial success was not a result of divine miracles but a product of practical skills and living principles.
To make money, you need skills and principles of living.
Any Pastor telling you the contrary is a big l!@r”.
So we urged the people of God to focus on self-improvement and actionable strategies for financial growth.
We further disclosed that many were grappling with the idea that spiritual devotion alone was not sufficient for financial prosperity.
But you see Dr Abel Damina’s bold proclamation underscores a shift towards a more pragmatic approach to wealth and success within the religious discourse.
Abel Damina Reveals The True Ways
His words have resonated deeply with many who felt disillusioned by traditional teachings on wealth and prosperity.
While elucidating our assertions, We emphasized the role of faith, personal efforts, and practical wisdom in achieving financial stability, as the key to financial prosperity
So Wealth is not a divine entitlement, but rather a result of human effort and sound principles.
While God’s favour can facilitate positive relationships, financial success requires skill development and strategic living..
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