PWD groups sue FG for N66trn over ‘decades of neglect’

Groups of persons with disabilities (PWDs) have sued the Nigerian government at the federal high court in Abuja, demanding N66 trillion in damages over what they described as 66 years of systemic abuse, exclusion and neglect.

The applicants are office of the life-chairperson, board of trustees, Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities of Nigeria (JONAPWD National), with Omotunde Ellen Thompson named as lead filer; Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities Initiative (ERPWDI-Nigeria/ ERPWDI-USA, represented by Eric Ndubueze Ufom; Foundation for the Support of Nigerian Veterans, represented by Lonsdale Oladeji Adeoye; and Centre for Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities.

The suit, filed on August 12, 2026, is numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/1824/2026 and was instituted as a pro se class action, an emergency writ of mandamus, and a fundamental human rights enforcement action.

The applicants said they are representing more than 40 million Nigerians living with disabilities.

They listed 26 respondents, including the attorney-general of the federation, secretary to the government of the federation, national assembly, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and several federal ministries and agencies.

PWDs DEMAND N66trn DAMAGES

The applicants are seeking N66 trillion in general, structural and punitive damages against the respondents jointly and severally.

They said the amount represents N1 trillion for every year of alleged state neglect, economic disenfranchisement and structural exclusion since October 1, 1960.

The applicants are also seeking an emergency writ of mandamus compelling the federal government to restructure its institutional framework for disability affairs.

They want the government to repeal or absorb what they described as parallel and non-inclusive institutions and establish a fully elevated federal ministry of disability and rehabilitation affairs.

The applicants are asking the court to recognise almajiri children, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and conflict-exposed youths as persons with disabilities based on what they describe as scientifically documented long-term psychiatric conditions arising from state neglect.

They are also seeking orders compelling Nigeria to comply fully with its obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD), the African Protocol on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Sustainable Development Goals.

The groups are also seeking amendments to the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 to align with those commitments.

PWDs SEEK FORENSIC AUDIT, ASSET RECOVERY

The applicants are asking the court to order the freeze of what they described as compromised bank accounts and direct the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and auditor-general for the federation to conduct forensic audits.

They want the agencies to investigate and recover public funds, development allocations and international donor resources allegedly diverted from funds designated for persons with disabilities.

The applicants specifically referenced an alleged diversion of N24 billion from the MSMEDF/AGSMEIS funds.

They are also seeking an order compelling all 36 state governments, the Federal Capital Territory administration and the 774 local government councils to establish fully funded disability implementation commissions or offices.

The applicants are also asking the court to restrain what they described as unauthorised conventions and elections involving the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities of Nigeria (JONAPWD).

They referenced a judgment of the high court of Cross River state in suit No. HC/336/2022, which they said recognised the 2008 JONAPWD constitution as the sole legal governing document registered under the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020.

The suit seeks enforcement of the judgment and an injunction against what the applicants described as factional operations and unauthorised elections.

26 ENTITIES NAMED AS RESPONDENTS

Other respondents listed in the suit include the auditor-general for the federation, accountant-general of the federation, head of the civil service of the federation, Nigerian Governors Forum and office of the special adviser to the president on special duties and equal opportunity.

Federal ministries listed as respondents include those responsible for humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation, women affairs, budget and economic development, regional development, finance, health and social development, foreign affairs and education.

The National Directorate of Employment, Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service, Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals and other entities are also listed.

The applicants said the action is aimed at securing structural reforms and enforcing the rights of Nigerians with disabilities through the courts.

They described the suit as a landmark human rights action seeking to address what they characterised as decades of marginalisation, exclusion and institutional neglect.

Source: The Cable