Withdraw threat against Abuja beggars or face legal action — SERAP tells Wike

…Says no one should be criminalised for engaging in life-sustaining economic activities

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a strong warning to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, demanding the immediate withdrawal of his threat to evict beggars from the streets of Abuja. SERAP has indicated that it will take legal action if Wike proceeds with his plans.

In a statement released on Wednesday, SERAP argued that criminalising individuals for engaging in life-sustaining activities due to their economic status is unlawful.

Wike had previously announced that a crackdown on beggars would commence next week, citing concerns over their impact on the city’s image and claiming that some beggars are actually criminals posing as such.

He urged families to remove any relatives who beg from the streets before enforcement begins.

The deadline for compliance is set for Sunday, after which city officials will start removing beggars.

The statement read, “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,” SERAP warned.