A civil rights group, the Assembly of Indigenous Youths of Abuja (AOIYEO) , has filed a lawsuit against the Federal Capital Territory Admi...
A civil rights group, the Assembly of Indigenous Youths of Abuja (AOIYEO), has filed a lawsuit against the Federal Capital Territory Administration and the six Area Councils of Abuja over what it described as a gross violation of the rights of primary school children and healthcare users.
The group’s legal action followed the prolonged strike by primary school teachers and healthcare workers, which has now lasted more than 90 days. The suit, filed at the FCT High Court and marked CV/2484/25, was lodged on Monday, June 30, 2025.
In the originating summons, AOIYEO contended that the shutdown of essential services in the area councils had deprived residents—particularly children—of their constitutional rights to life, dignity, education, and healthcare.
In their submission, AOIYEO said:
“Primary school children are entitled to the Right to Education, and the failure to provide education to them for over 90 days amounts to a violation of their fundamental rights to life, dignity of person, freedom from discrimination, and education as guaranteed under Sections 33, 34, and 42 of the 1999 Constitution.”
The group is seeking a declaration that the residents of the six area councils are entitled to the best attainable state of physical and mental health, as provided under Article 16(1)(2) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
They also argued that children in the FCT are entitled to equal access to public education and healthcare without discrimination when compared to their peers in Nigeria’s 36 states.
“The failure to maintain education for over 90 days without a clear end in sight amounts to a breach of constitutional duty,” the group stated.
AOIYEO is therefore urging the court to issue an immediate directive compelling the six area councils to resume their constitutional responsibilities in education and healthcare service delivery.
According to their plea:
“We are asking for an order directing the six area councils to immediately resume their constitutional duty to provide and maintain education, and to ensure that children in FCT schools can pursue their education without further delay.”
They are also seeking similar reliefs for the health sector:
“We request that the six area councils be ordered to provide and maintain medical services in all health facilities to ensure residents get medical attention as required by law.”
The group is relying on both the 1999 Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act CAP A9, to press their case.
Akuko - Latest Celebrity News recalls that teachers and council workers have been on strike since March 24, 2024, citing non-payment of N70,000 minimum wage, 25-month arrears, peculiar allowances, and salary increases ranging from 25–35%, among other demands.
As of press time, no official statement had been made by the FCT Administration or the affected councils in response to the lawsuit.
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