A group of human rights activists has taken legal action against the Benue State Government, contesting the recent enactment of the Public Order Bill signed into law by Governor Hyacinth Alia.
Filed at the High Court in Makurdi, the state capital, the lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of the legislation, particularly its prohibition on hawking at public events after 10 PM.
Governor Alia approved the controversial Public Order Bill on May 25, 2024, following its passage by the state assembly. Since its implementation, the law has sparked widespread debate and criticism among concerned citizens.
The plaintiffs, Bemgba Iortyom and Adebayo Ogorry, argue that the law infringes upon citizens’ fundamental rights, labeling it a “reign of dictatorship” that demands immediate intervention. Governor Alia and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Barr Felix Mnyi, have been named as defendants in the lawsuit.
The activists contend that the legislation is both “vague and oppressive,” alleging that it unfairly targets vulnerable segments of society and perceived political adversaries. Speaking to the press in Makurdi, the activists emphasized their duty to safeguard the state from what they perceive as executive overreach and authoritarianism, which they fear could erode the foundations of constitutional democracy in Benue State.
The legal suit seeks a declaration from the court nullifying the executive order, denouncing it as anti-human and contrary to the principles of justice and freedom.
