•Details of their grievances and claims

By BONIFACE AKARAH

Persons with disabilities (PWDs), through a coalition of organisations representing their interests, have instituted a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking N66 trillion in damages over what they describe as six decades of systemic exclusion, neglect and discrimination by the Nigerian state.

The suit, filed on August 12, 2026, is identified as FHC/ABJ/CS/1824/2026 and was described by the applicants as a pro se class action, emergency writ of mandamus and fundamental human rights enforcement action.

The applicants claim to represent more than 40 million Nigerians living with disabilities, while also extending the class to conflict-exposed youth, Almajiris, internally displaced persons (IDPs), wounded veterans and other groups identified in the suit.

The lead applicants include the Office of the Life-Chairperson, Board of Trustees of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities of Nigeria (JONAPWD-National), represented by Lady Omotunde Ellen Thompson; Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities Initiative (ERPWDI-Nigeria/USA), represented by Chief Eric Ndubueze Ufom; Foundation for the Support of Nigerian Veterans, represented by Brig. Gen. Dr. Lonsdale Oladeji Adeoye (Rtd.); and the Center for Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities.

According to the applicants, the action seeks to compel what they describe as fundamental structural changes in the way disability affairs are handled by the Nigerian government.

Among the reliefs sought in the court papers sighted by News Express is N66 trillion in general, structural and punitive damages, calculated by the applicants at N1 trillion for every year since Nigeria's independence in 1960.

The applicants are also asking the court to compel the Federal Government to establish what they propose as a Federal Ministry of Disability and Rehabilitation Affairs and to harmonise relevant institutions and mandates dealing with disability and vulnerable populations.

They further seek judicial declarations concerning Almajiri children, IDPs and conflict-exposed youths whom they argue may have developed long-term psychological conditions as a result of prolonged exposure to trauma and state neglect.

The applicants said the case is also intended to address Nigeria's obligations under international human rights instruments, including 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.

They are additionally seeking orders relating to the administration and governance of JONAPWD-National, including an injunction against what they describe as unauthorised conventions or elections.

The suit also seeks forensic audits and possible recovery of funds allegedly meant for persons with disabilities. The applicants specifically referenced an alleged diversion of N24 billion from the MSMEDF/AGSMEIS funds, although the claims remain matters for determination in the legal process.

The respondents listed in the suit include the Attorney-General of the Federation, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, National Assembly, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, several federal ministries and agencies, the Nigerian Governors Forum and other institutions.

The applicants further want the court to order the establishment of fully funded disability implementation commissions or offices across the 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory and the 774 local government areas.

The case represents an ambitious attempt by disability rights advocates to use the courts to seek broad institutional reforms and financial redress for alleged historical exclusion.

However, the allegations contained in the suit remain claims by the applicants and are yet to be judicially determined. The filing of the case does not by itself establish liability against any of the named respondents.

The applicants said they expect the proceedings to provide a framework for addressing what they regard as longstanding failures in disability inclusion, social protection and access to public resources.

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