Lawyers Alert V. Government of Benue State KHC/1/2021
WHETHER THE ACTIONS OF THE GOVERNMENT OF BENUE STATE of NIGERIA IN
IMPOUNDING AND DESTROYING 50 MOTORCYCLES BELONGING TO SOME
INDIGENT RESIDENTS OF KATSINA-ALA AND UKUM LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS
OF THE STATE, DO NOT AMOUNT TO A BREACH AND VIOLATION OF SECTIONS 36
(1) (4) (6) (12) AND 44 OF THE 1999 CONSTITUTION AND ARTICLE 14 OF THE
AFRICAN CHARTER ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES RIGHTS?
The Government of Benue state OF Nigeria in a bid to address the high level of
insecurity in the state, on the 29 th day of December 2020 placed an embargo on
the use of motorcycles in the Sankara axis of the state. Security operatives acting
on the directive of the embargo, resorted to the seizure and destruction of
motorcycles belonging to residents, a move that resulted into the burning and
destruction of over 50 motorcycles found in the residents of community
members.
Lawyers Alert, through a class right action, approached the High court in Benue
state for the court’s interpretation of the relevant laws to wit:
Sections 36(1), (4), (6), (12), & 44 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended) and Article 14 of the African Charter on Human and
Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act.
OUTCOME:
The respondent reconsidered the directive placing the supposed embargo and
same was suspended.