The Socio-Economic Rights Accountability Project (SERAP) has threatened to sue the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, if he does not withdraw the ultimatum he gave beggars in Abuja, Nigeria.
Wike, on Tuesday, launched a campaign to remove beggars from the streets of Abuja during the flag-off ceremony for access road construction in the Katampe District of the Federal Capital.
“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,” he said.
SERAP, on the other hand, mentioned in a post on its official X account on Wednesday that it believes no individual should face criminal charges based on their socio-economic standing. The organisation warned that it was prepared to take legal action against the Minister if he followed through with the warning.
