The Federal High Court sitting in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, on Monday reserved judgment in a fundamental rights enforcement suit challenging the prolonged neglect and unsafe condition of the Numan–Jalingo Road, fixing February 26, 2026, for the delivery of its decision.
The suit, monitored by DAILY POST, was instituted by a human rights lawyer and public interest litigator, Barrister Bilyaminu Lukman Maihanchi, against the Federal Government and its relevant agencies.
Maihanchi is asking the court to declare that the failure of the appropriate authorities to rehabilitate and secure the Numan–Jalingo Road constitutes a violation of citizens’ constitutional rights to life, human dignity and freedom of movement, as provided under Sections 33, 34 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as well as provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
At the hearing, all parties adopted their respective court processes, while several respondents filed and argued preliminary objections challenging the competence and justifiability of the suit. After listening to submissions from counsel on all sides, the court adjourned the matter and reserved judgment for February 26, 2026.
Speaking to journalists after the proceedings, Maihanchi said the case transcends politics and policy, stressing that it is fundamentally about the protection of human lives.
According to him, when a federal road becomes a death trap, exposes commuters to insecurity and undermines human dignity, it ceases to be a mere infrastructure problem and becomes a constitutional issue. He expressed appreciation to the court for considering all arguments and said he remained hopeful that justice would be served.
Maihanchi added that the action was not intended to embarrass any level of government but to compel constitutional accountability and safeguard citizens from avoidable harm.
He noted that Nigerians should not be forced to choose between travelling and surviving, adding that roads are meant to connect lives and not end them. He described the suit as a call for urgent remedial action rather than confrontation.
The Numan–Jalingo road is a major federal road linking Adamawa and Taraba states. Its prolonged deterioration has also been linked to frequent road accidents, cases of kidnapping, economic losses and unsafe conditions for commuters.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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