By Gwurld4026 
Abuja Court Rules Prostitution Illegal, Dismisses Lawsuit
On March 12, 2025, the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Incorporated Trustee of Lawyers Alert Initiative for Protecting the Rights of Children, Women, and the Indigent. The suit sought to prevent the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) from arresting and prosecuting individuals suspected of engaging in commercial sex work within Abuja.
Justice James Omotosho, presiding over the case, ruled that the application was incompetent under the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, 2009. He emphasized that prostitution is considered an immoral act and is illegal under Nigerian law, specifically referencing the Penal Code Act operational in the FCT, which categorizes prostitutes as vagabonds under Section 405(1)(d).
The court further noted that individuals engaging in prostitution are liable to arrest and prosecution, with potential penalties including a jail term of up to two years. Justice Omotosho concluded that the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs were not grantable and dismissed the suit for lack of merit.
This judgment reinforces the stance that prostitution remains illegal in Nigeria, and individuals involved in such activities do not possess legal rights under the nation’s laws or constitution.