The Socio-Economic Rights Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a stern warning to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, regarding the ultimatum he recently directed at beggars in the FCT.
SERAP threatened to initiate legal action against Wike if he does not retract this controversial ultimatum.
The organization argues that such measures could infringe on the rights of vulnerable individuals and has called for a more compassionate approach to addressing the issue of begging in the capital.
GistReel reports that during the flag-off ceremony for access road construction in the Katampe District of the Federal Capital on Tuesday, Minister Nyesom Wike announced that the Federal Government plans to begin arresting beggars found on the streets of Abuja starting next Monday.
Reacting, SERAP, in a post on its official X handle on Wednesday, stated that no one should be criminalised for their socio-economic status.
The group advised the minister to rather provide opportunities to help the beggars rebuild their lives.
Wike had said, “Let me state clearly that we have declared war; Abuja is turning into a beggar city. If you know you have a sister or brother who is a beggar, please, from next week, we will take them away. It is embarrassing that people will come in and the first thing they will see are just beggars on the road.
“Sometimes, they may be criminals pretending to be beggars. We will not allow that. So, I’m giving you a public holiday from now until Sunday. From Monday, we will remove them.”
However, SERAP said it would not hesitate to file a lawsuit against the minister if he implemented the threat.
“The Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, must immediately withdraw his apparently unlawful threat to arrest beggars in Abuja or face legal action. No one should be criminalised for engaging in life-sustaining economic activities or because of their economic or social status.
“Rather than arresting and cracking down on beggars, Mr Wike should provide them with the opportunity to rebuild their lives and fully integrate into society while respecting their dignity and human rights. Mr Wike should immediately begin to address the root causes of poverty and the violations of the economic and social rights of particularly marginalised individuals in Abuja.
“Mr Wike must address the plight of those experiencing homelessness and those living in poverty in Abuja and not demonise and criminalise them,” the post read.