Alia Govt dragged to court for banning hawking in Benue

A group of human rights activists has filed a lawsuit against the Benue State Government, contesting the recently enacted Public Order Bill.

This legal challenge, brought before the High Court in Makurdi, disputes the law signed by Governor Hyacinth Alia on May 25, 2024.

The contentious legislation, which prohibits hawking at public events after 10 PM, has stirred significant public outcry. The plaintiffs, Bemgba Iortyom and Adebayo Ogorry, assert that the law infringes on fundamental citizen rights and represents a “reign of dictatorship” that must be stopped.

Governor Alia, alongside the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Barr Felix Mnyi, are named as defendants in the lawsuit. The activists argue that the law is “vague and oppressive,” claiming it unfairly targets vulnerable groups and perceived political adversaries.

In a press briefing in Makurdi on Sunday, the activists declared, “We are convinced that our action is a duty to save the state from executive recklessness and authoritarianism manifest in Governor Alia’s actions. If not checked, this will undermine the foundations and values of constitutional democracy, which are essential for building a just, strong, and prosperous Benue State.”

The plaintiffs are seeking a court declaration to nullify the executive order, labeling it as anti-human and a threat to civil libertie