National Association of Jukun Wanu Association (NAJUWA) has sued the office of the Benue State Governor, Benue State government and four others over alleged discriminatory policies against its people in the state.
The ethnic group demanded N1billion as damages for the harm done to its members.
The others joined in the suit are the speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Benue State House of Assembly, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Benue State and HRM, Orchivirigh Professor Ortese Lorzua James Ayatse, the Tor Tiv and president, Benue State Council of Chiefs.
The writ of summons was filed at a High Court of Benue State, Makurdi Judicial Division by Falana & Falana’s Chambers on February 2, 2024.
A copy of the summons indicates that the defendants may appear by entering appearance in person or by a legal practitioner and by handing in the appropriate form duly completed at the registry of the National Industrial Court, Abuja or by sending them to that office by post.
It pointed out that “if the defendant does not appear within the time and at the place above mentioned, such orders will be made and proceedings may be taken as the judge may think fit and expedient.”
The claimants declared that by virtue of the provision of section 25 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, the people of Jukun Wanu are indigenes of Guma local government area, Makurdi local government and Logo local government area of Benue State and citizens of Nigeria and as such are entitled to equal protection under any law made in Nigeria including Benue State Council of Chiefs and Traditional Council Law 2016.
They added that by virtue of the provision of section 42 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, the people of Jukun Wanu whom are indigenes of the three councils of Benue State are entitled to freedom from discrimination on the basis of the circumstances of their birth and by virtue of section 25 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended.
The applicants said the respondents are not competent to make any law or adopt any policy which discriminates against the people of Jukun Wanu who are indigenes of Benue State in any manner whatsoever and howsoever.
The claimants also declared that the exclusion of Jukun Wanu from Schedule 5 and 6 of Section 18(1) of the Benue State Council of Chiefs and Traditional Council Law 2016 is illegal and unconstitutional as it violates their fundamental right from discrimination guaranteed by section 42 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, an Order directing the respondents to repeal Schedule 5 and 6 of Section 18 (1) of the Benue State Council of Chiefs and Traditional Council Law 2016 forthwith to include the Jukun Wanu indigenes in the schedule for Guma Local Government, Makurdi Local Government and Logo Local Government, an Order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents from further subjecting the people of Jukun Wanu to any form of discrimination in any manner whatsoever and howsoever.
They prayed for an order directing the respondents to grade the Chiefs in Jukun Wanu like their colleagues among other ethnic groups in Benue State forthwith, an order directing the defendants to pay compensatory damages to the Jukun Wanu indigenes of Benue State for prolonged act of discrimination in the sum of N1 billion and that it is in the interest of justice that the claimants’ claims be granted by this honourable court.
NAJUWA sued the executive governor of Benue State who signed into law all laws made by the State Assembly, government of Benue State that administers the law and the speaker as leader of the Benue State House of Assembly that makes laws for the state.
NAJUWA averred that its members are Jukun Wanu (Riverine Jukun) who are indigenes of Benue State whose ancestral origin can be traced to many communities in the state.
According to it, these communities include but not limited to Abinsi, Agyogo (Makurdi) Akatungu (North Bank), Agyetashi, Azhoko (Ankwa), Abweni, Anmor (Fiidi), Ando Sede (Bajimba), Anuwha, Atenge and Anyishi.
Others are Asugu, Gidin Mangoro, Akatsu, Agbodo, Zhamindo, Ashuku, Kitsani, Aguye and Asokpoga among others.
