Our reporter
A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a lawsuit seeking the legalisation of prostitution in Nigeria, affirming the government’s authority to prosecute commercial sex workers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The suit, filed by the Lawyers Alert Initiative for Protection of Rights of Children, Women, and Indigent on behalf of sex workers in Abuja, challenged the legality of their arrest and sought recognition of their fundamental human rights under the Nigerian Constitution.
However, Justice James Omotosho ruled that prostitution remains an offence under Nigerian law, declaring that it contradicts the nation’s cultural and moral values. He upheld the power of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, alongside the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) and security agencies, to continue enforcing laws against commercial sex work.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/642/2024, argued that the arrest and prosecution of sex workers violated their rights and sought to restrain the government from further crackdowns. The applicants also contested the interpretation of the AEPB Act, 1997, which empowers authorities to maintain public order in Abuja.
Justice Omotosho, in his ruling, stated that while some countries have decriminalised prostitution, Nigeria’s legal and cultural frameworks do not support such measures. He further noted that the Penal Code prescribes penalties, including imprisonment, for individuals found engaging in commercial sex work.
The decision reinforces the government’s stance on prostitution, classifying it as a social menace. The court’s ruling underscores Nigeria’s commitment to upholding traditional values and maintaining public order.
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