A Federal High Court in Abuja has set March 12, 2025, as the date to deliver its judgment in a case seeking to prevent the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) from arresting and prosecuting commercial sex workers (CSWs) in Abuja.
The case was brought before the court by the Incorporated Trustee of Lawyers Alert Initiative for Protecting the Rights of Children, Women, and the Indigent. The lawsuit, filed on May 14, 2024, names the AEPB, FCT Minister, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) as defendants.
The plaintiffs, represented by lawyers Rommy Mom, Bamidele Jacobs, and Victor Eboh, are seeking two main reliefs:
- A determination of whether the AEPB’s duties under Section 6 of the AEPB Act, 1997, authorize it to arrest, detain, and prosecute women suspected of engaging in sex work.
- A declaration that Section 35(1)(d) of the AEPB Act, 1997, does not classify women as “articles” or their bodies as “goods for purchase.”
The plaintiffs argue that the AEPB’s actions, including charging suspected sex workers before the FCT Mobile Court and referring to them as “articles,” are discriminatory and violate Section 42 of the Nigerian Constitution, which prohibits discrimination.
Additionally, they seek a declaration that the AEPB’s responsibilities do not include harassing, arresting, or raiding women suspected of engaging in sex work.
Justice James Omotosho, after hearing the arguments from both the plaintiffs and the defense, has scheduled the judgment for March 12, 2025. This decision could potentially set a precedent on the legal treatment of individuals suspected of engaging in sex work and clarify the scope of the AEPB’s authority in such matters.
