COURT RESERVES RULING ON ALLEGED HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS LINKED TO NUMAN–JALINGO ROAD
Read Time:1 Minute, 47 Second
By: Fasasi Hammad
The Federal High Court in Jalingo, Taraba State, on Monday reserved judgment in a fundamental rights enforcement suit challenging the prolonged neglect and dangerous condition of the Numan–Jalingo Road. The court fixed February 26, 2026, for the delivery of its ruling.
The suit observed, was filed by human rights lawyer and public interest litigator, Barrister Bilyaminu Lukman Maihanchi, against the Federal Government and its relevant agencies.
Maihanchi is asking the court to hold that the failure of the appropriate authorities to rehabilitate and secure the Numan–Jalingo Road amounts to a violation of citizens’ constitutional rights to life, human dignity and freedom of movement, as guaranteed under Sections 33, 34 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as well as provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
During the hearing, parties adopted their respective processes, while several respondents filed and argued preliminary objections challenging the competence and justiciability of the suit. After considering submissions from counsel on all sides, the court adjourned the matter and reserved judgment for February 26, 2026.
Speaking with journalists after the proceedings, Maihanchi said the case goes beyond politics or policy, stressing that it is fundamentally about the protection of human lives.
According to him, once a federal road becomes a death trap, exposes commuters to insecurity and undermines human dignity, it ceases to be merely an infrastructure concern and becomes a constitutional matter. He commended the court for listening to all arguments and expressed optimism that justice would prevail.
READ MORE…
Maihanchi added that the action was not meant to embarrass any level of government but to enforce constitutional accountability and protect citizens from preventable harm.
He further noted that Nigerians should not be forced to choose between travelling and survival, describing the suit as a call for urgent remedial action rather than confrontation.
The Numan–Jalingo Road is a major federal highway linking Adamawa and Taraba states. Its prolonged deterioration has been blamed for frequent road accidents, incidents of kidnapping, economic losses and unsafe conditions for commuters.
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0