The Adamu Garba and 20 Ors v Federal Attorney General of Nigeria and 13 Ors constitutional case was heard today 14th March 2011 at the Federal High Court in Kaduna before Hon. Justice Mohammed Lawal Shuaibu. Arguments of both parties were heard and the case has been adjourned to 3rd June 2011 for judgment.
Adamu Garba and 20 other Nigerian citizens are suing the Federal Government of Nigeria and 13 state and local governments for discrimination caused by their support of the indigene/settler divide. Claiming their right to protection from discrimination, the 21 persons are asking the Federal High Court in Kaduna to enforce their constitutional rights. They are suing the Federal Government, the Federal Character Commission, Plateau, Kaduna, Kano and Katsina states, and Jos North Local Government Area (LGA), Shendam LGA, Kaduna South LGA, Giwa LGA (Kaduna), Fagge LGA (Kano), Kumbotso LGA (Kano), Nassarawa LGA (Kano) and Tarauni LGA ( Kano).
The complainants are challenging their arbitrary classification as “settlers” or “non-indigenes” by their respective states. This government practice denies them their fundamental human rights under Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution and African and international human rights law. They are asking the Federal High Court to order the full recognition and respect of their rights, and those of all Nigerians suffering similar discrimination.
