By Adenike Lawal
A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a lawsuit seeking to stop the arrest and prosecution of commercial sex workers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Justice James Omotosho ruled that the application, filed under the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules of 2009, was flawed and lacked merit.
The suit was brought by the Incorporated Trustee of Lawyers Alert Initiative for Protecting the Rights of Children, Women, and the Indigent against the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).
The plaintiffs argued that AEPB’s arrests violated fundamental rights and sought an injunction against the agency.
However, the court ruled that prostitution remains an offense under Nigeria’s Penal Code and that stopping law enforcement from acting would undermine public morality and order.
Justice Omotosho emphasized that Nigeria’s cultural and legal framework does not recognize prostitution and upheld the authority of the AEPB and FCTA to enforce existing laws.
The ruling reinforces the government’s stance on public conduct in Abuja.
