Justice Ambrose Lewis Allagoa of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi has fixed January 20, 2026 for hearing in a suit filed against the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF by the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre, WARDC, seeking an order to protect the rights of rape and incest victims.
Justice Allagoa fixed the date for hearing following a session where counsel for the parties were absent on Thursday when the case was mentioned.
The Applicants are, WARDC, 2nd and 3rd applicants names withheld.
WARDC filed the suit FHC/LAG/975/2025 through their Counsel, Prof. Yemi Oke, SAN, Dr. Yinka Owoeye Esq., Emmanuella Azu, Deji Folorunsho, and Oluwatobi Adeniregun.
Other respondents in the suit are; Minister of Health, Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development and National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP.
While A. Saliu-Aina watched the proceeding on behalf of an interested party seeking to intervene.
The Applicants are seeking the following reliefs from the court; A declaration that the right of victims of rape and incest to safe termination of pregnancy should be respected as provided by law.
Also, the Applicants wants a declaration by the court for the government to provide comprehensive medical assistance to victims of sexual violence including rape and incest.
Also, the Applicants want a declaration by the court for comprehensive medical assistance, information and services on medical abortion for every victim of violence as defined under the Violence Against Persons Prohibition, VAPP Act.
Finally, the Applicants want the court to provide comprehensive psychological and social assistance to every victim of sexual violence including victims of rape and incest and such further or other orders as this Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.
Earlier when the matter was called, the first Applicant, WARDC was represented by Prof. Oke who told the court that the matter was of a unique importance and national significance.
He expressed dissatisfaction for the absence of all the respondents.
He told the court that the respondents should have been patriotic enough to come before the court.
“This is a matter of unique importance for the lives of humanity. It is a matter every conscious Nigerians or global citizens must have been interested in.
“I’m surprised that the respondents would have been patriotic enough to come before the court, so that we can have it trash out once and for all.
“We only got served late October by the first respondent, that is the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.
“Other parties have simply ignored us. Though we would like to respond to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, for obvious reason, they might even be supporting us indirectly because what we are seeking affects their interests.
“But what worries me more is the fact that other respondents have just ignored us. My lord, I’m at a crossroad, this matter is actually ripe for hearing. it is an urgent application.
“However, if the law is minded to give us one more final adjournment, there’s nothing to contest, there’s more things to challenge. The facts are obvious. It’s a very straightforward matter.
“The Minister of Health, the Minister of Women’s Affairs, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, that they are on our side.
“Men and women are already in your Lordship’s court. I am one of them. All is definitely not well, that why I am here.
“We are here to move the hand of justice to give effect to rights of victims of rape and incest for safe termination of pregnancy,” the senior lawyer, informed the court.
However, Justice Allagoa inquired about proper service of court process from the Applicants’ lawyer.
The learned silk replied that all respondents have been served.
The judge asked, “Is that proof of service? I don’t carry on anyhow here, Director of Legal of which department did you serve?
The court urged the applicants’ counsel to ensure proper service.
Justice Allagoa adjourned the matter for hearing till January 20, 2025.
