Lawyers Alert Drags FG To Court Over Benue State IDP Crisis

A leading human rights organization in Nigeria, Lawyers Alert has initiated a legal action against Federal Government and the Attorney General of the Federation at the Federal High Court in Makurdi over the ongoing humanitarian crisis affecting internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Benue State.

The lawsuit seeks to address the Benue State IDP Crisis with a specific focus on the government’s failure to provide adequate security and facilitate the return of displaced citizens to their ancestral homes.

The Director in charge of Legal Department at Lawyers Alert, Barrister Bamidele Jacobs said the objective was to ensure that the fundamental rights of the effected vulnerable groups are upheld.

He said “The lawsuit is grounded in several provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, both of which guarantee the right to life, dignity, personal liberty, and security.

The lawsuit highlights the legal obligations of the Federal Government of Nigeria to protect the lives and property of its citizens, particularly the IDPs in Benue State as enshrined in Sections 33(1), 34(1), 35(1), and 14(2)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantee the rights to life, human dignity, and personal liberty.

Jacobs said “In addition, Articles 4, 5, 6, 16, 22, and 24 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights mandate that the government must provide security and ensure the best attainable state of physical and mental health for all its citizens, including displaced persons.

Lawyers Alert contends that the government’s failure to provide adequate security in IDP camps and to relocate the displaced persons to their ancestral homes amounts to a gross violation of constitutional and human rights.

“The lawsuit underscores the deplorable living conditions in the camps, including overcrowding, lack of sanitation, insufficient security, and exposure to diseases, which have disproportionately affected women and children.

Jacobs lamented that reports of sexual violence and rape in the camps have exacerbated the situation and further eroding the dignity and safety of the displaced persons.

He called on Federal Government to take necessary actions to address bthe humanitarian crisis at the Benue IDP camp.

He said Lawyers Alert in it’s suit is seeking a court declaration that the Nigerian government is bound by law to ensure the security of IDPs and return them to their homes.

“The organization is also seeking an order compelling the government to provide the necessary security, shelter, and other essential amenities to enable the IDPs to resettle and regain their livelihoods. Lawyers Alert emphasizes that the continued displacement of these individuals has not only led to severe mental and physical health issues but has also deprived them of their economic and cultural rights.”

The lawsuit draws attention to the severe socio-economic consequences faced by the displaced populations, particularly those from the Tiv ethnic group who are primarily farmers and have been cut off from their land and means of livelihood.

Lawyers Alert said their extended stay in IDP camps has also hindered children’s education and disrupted the community structure, leading to further hardship for families.

The organisation said the urgency of the case is underscored by recent media reports on the worsening conditions in IDP camps across Benue State.

The organisation noted that the reports from Daily Trust and Leadership newspapers showed that the IDPs, especially children, are facing increasing challenges, including sexual violence and mental health crises, due to prolonged displacement.

Lawyers Alert attached the reports to it’s lawsuit as exhibits to support the case at the court.

Lawyers Alert said “We are calling on the Federal Government to fulfill its constitutional obligation to protect the lives and property of the internally displaced persons in Benue State.

“These individuals have endured years of insecurity, displacement, and unimaginable hardship. It is time for the government to take action and ensure they are returned safely to their homes with the security and amenities they need to rebuild their lives,” said Bamidele A. Jacobs, Director of the Legal Department at Lawyers Alert.

The case is expected to be heard in the coming months at the Federal High Court in Makurdi and Lawyers Alert is optimistic that the court will grant the reliefs sought and compel the government to take immediate action to resolve the IDP crisis in Benue State.

About Lawyers Alert

Lawyers Alert is a non-partisan, non-profit human rights organization committed to providing free legal services to vulnerable individuals and advocating for the enforcement of fundamental human rights in Nigeria.

The organization works to promote the rule of law, ensure access to justice, and protect the rights of marginalized groups, including women, children, and internally displaced persons.