The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a lawsuit seeking to legalize prostitution and protect the rights of sex workers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Justice James Omotosho ruled that prostitution is immoral and contrary to Nigeria’s cultural values, reinforcing the authority of the FCT Minister and security agencies to continue arresting individuals engaged in the practice.
The court determined that sex workers have no legal rights under Nigerian law, emphasizing that their activities constitute a criminal offense.
The lawsuit was filed by a non-governmental organization advocating against the harassment and prosecution of sex workers. However, the court rejected the plea, stating that the application lacked merit and amounted to promoting immorality. Justice Omotosho reiterated that prostitution is not recognized within Nigerian cultural norms and affirmed the government’s authority to enforce existing laws against it.
