Enactment of disability law: Again court adjourn judgment until March 28

A Federal High Court Lagos, on Thursday, again adjourned
judgment until March 28, in a suit by a physically challenged
lawyer, Mr Daniel Onwe, contesting the non enactment of a
disability law in Nigeria.

Justice Ayokunle Faji had fixed Thursday to deliver judgment in
the suit but told parties that the judgment was not ready.

Onwe, had commenced the suit against the President of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the National Assembly in 2014,
over alleged failure to enact a law protecting the rights of
persons living with disabilities in the country.

The applicant also demands broad interpretation of the
constitutional rights to dignity of human person, freedom of
expression, Association, and freedom of movement, to accommodate
the peculiarities of persons with disabilities.

Faji told parties that since the court was still within time to
deliver it’s judgment, it would be delivered hopefully on the next
date.

NAN reports that the court had on the last adjourned date, taken
arguments from counsel, on the substantive suit, as well as a
preliminary objection to same.

The applicant’s suit was first assigned to Justice Mohammed
Yunusa, and later to Justice Jude Dagat after the transfer of
Yunusa from the Lagos division of the court.

Again, following the transfer of Dagat out of the Lagos
division, the suit was re-assigned to Justice Mohammed Aikawa.

On Feb. 2, 2017, Justice Aikawa struck out the suit after the
applicant informed the court that he was withdrawing same.

The applicant’s withdrawal was sequel to a preliminary objection
raised by the respondent, that the processes were not properly
endorsed for service outside the jurisdiction of the court.

The applicant however, re-filed the suit on Feb. 9, 2017,
seeking similar declarative reliefs.

The suit numbered FHC/LA/CS/168/17 was then assigned to Justice
Ayokunle Faji, who now seats as the fourth judge in the suit.

In his application, Onwe argues that the absence of a disability
law, amounted to a violation of the rights of the physically
challenged, who he estimates at over 23 million in the country.

The lawyer is therefore, seeking an order, mandating the
respondent to immediately enact the necessary laws to protect the
rights of persons living with disabilities. (NAN)

A Federal High Court Lagos, on Thursday, again adjourned
judgment until March 28, in a suit by a physically challenged
lawyer, Mr Daniel Onwe, contesting the non enactment of a
disability law in Nigeria.

Justice Ayokunle Faji had fixed Thursday to deliver judgment in
the suit but told parties that the judgment was not ready.

Onwe, had commenced the suit against the President of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the National Assembly in 2014,
over alleged failure to enact a law protecting the rights of
persons living with disabilities in the country.

The applicant also demands broad interpretation of the
constitutional rights to dignity of human person, freedom of
expression, Association, and freedom of movement, to accommodate
the peculiarities of persons with disabilities.

Faji told parties that since the court was still within time to
deliver it’s judgment, it would be delivered hopefully on the next
date.

NAN reports that the court had on the last adjourned date, taken
arguments from counsel, on the substantive suit, as well as a
preliminary objection to same.

The applicant’s suit was first assigned to Justice Mohammed
Yunusa, and later to Justice Jude Dagat after the transfer of
Yunusa from the Lagos division of the court.

Again, following the transfer of Dagat out of the Lagos
division, the suit was re-assigned to Justice Mohammed Aikawa.

On Feb. 2, 2017, Justice Aikawa struck out the suit after the
applicant informed the court that he was withdrawing same.

The applicant’s withdrawal was sequel to a preliminary objection
raised by the respondent, that the processes were not properly
endorsed for service outside the jurisdiction of the court.

The applicant however, re-filed the suit on Feb. 9, 2017,
seeking similar declarative reliefs.

The suit numbered FHC/LA/CS/168/17 was then assigned to Justice
Ayokunle Faji, who now seats as the fourth judge in the suit.

In his application, Onwe argues that the absence of a disability
law, amounted to a violation of the rights of the physically
challenged, who he estimates at over 23 million in the country.

The lawyer is therefore, seeking an order, mandating the
respondent to immediately enact the necessary laws to protect the
rights of persons living with disabilities. (NAN)