Jukun vs Benue State Government, Tor Tiv, others: Falana’s Chamber complained over non-assigning suit

Solicitors to National Association of Jukun Wanu (NAJUWA), Falana and Falana’s Chambers have complained to the Chief Judge of Benue State over the non-assigning of a suit involving its client and the Benue State Government and four others.

NAJUWA Secretary General, Nuhu Adagba in a statement on Thursday said 

in a letter of complaint dated 18, April, 2024, the Chambers expressed dismay over a case filed on 2, February, 2024 and yet to be assigned.

In the letter signed by Samuel Ogala Esq for Principal Partner, it informed the Chief Judge that the claimants and all Jukun Wanu indigenes are already agitated by the non-assignment of the case hence the need to act urgently on the letter by exercising its administrative powers by assigning the suit to a court for adjudication.

According to reports reaching this medium, the Benue State Chief Judge has been assigning cases to various courts for adjudication even after February 2, 2024 when NAJUWA suit was filed but left it unattended to without reason.

NAJUWA wants the world to note that the Tiv Traditional Council have been using some sinister and unconstitutional means to scuttle the suit, which is being spearheaded by Tor Tiv using Ter Guma and Tor Lobi who invited some of its members to meetings which were explicitly recorded in which our communities were tasked to withdraw the lawsuit or in the alternative write a letter of disclaimer which can be used to discredit the matter in court.

They have also threatened that their plan to install a Tiv Chief in Abinsi will soon be realised despite NAJUWA’s matter in court.

However, the Jukun Wanu Association (JUWA) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in its April meeting unanimously urged NAJUWA not to relent or withdraw the suit.

NAJUWA sued the office of the Benue State Governor, Benue State Government, 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 James Ayatse, the Tor Tiv and President, Benue State Council of Chiefs over decades of discriminatory policies against Benue Jukun.

NAJUWA 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, 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, 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 Guma Local Government, Makurdi Local Government and Logo Local Government Areas of Benue State are entitled to freedom from discrimination on the basis of the circumstances of their birth and that by virtue of section 25 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, the respondents are not competent to make any law or adopt any policy which discriminates against the people of Jukun Wanu whom are indigenes of Benue State in any manner whatsoever and howsoever.

The Claimant declared that the exclusion of Jukun Wanu whom are indigenes of Guma Local Government, Makurdi Local Government and Logo Local Government of Benue State 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.

NAJUWA averred that its members are Jukun Wanu (Riverine Jukun) whom 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.

NAJUWA are requesting for N1billion as damages for prolonged act of discrimination against Benue Jukun.

The Association urges the Tiv Traditional Council to follow the path of honour, decency and justice to grant Jukun their constitutional right or know that the Jukun will never waver or abdicate their right on this matter or any other thus will never withdraw this case, no matter their intimidation or threats.

However, NAJUWA noted that Jukun people will follow the path of peace and as law abiding citizens, continue to wait patiently until justice is achieved in this matter.