The Federal High Court sitting in Jalingo, the capital of Taraba State, on Monday reserved judgment in a fundamental rights enforcement suit challenging the prolonged neglect and unsafe condition of the Numan–Jalingo road, fixing 26 February 2026 for its decision.
The suit, as observed by The Guardian, was filed by a human rights lawyer and public interest litigator, Barrister Bilyaminu Lukman Maihanchi, against the Federal Government and relevant agencies.
He contends that the failure of the relevant authorities to rehabilitate and secure the Numan–Jalingo road amounts to a violation of citizens’ constitutional rights to life, human dignity and freedom of movement as guaranteed 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. Several respondents raised preliminary objections, challenging the competence and justifiability of the suit.
After listening to arguments from counsel on all sides, the court adjourned the matter and reserved judgment for 26 February 2026.
Answering questions from journalists after the proceedings, Maihanchi said the case transcends politics and policy, stressing that it is fundamentally about the protection of human lives.
“When a federal road becomes a death trap, exposes commuters to insecurity and degrades human dignity, it ceases to be a mere infrastructure issue and becomes a constitutional matter. We are grateful that the court has taken all arguments and reserved judgment. We remain hopeful that justice will be done,” he said.
He explained that the action was not meant to embarrass any level of government, but to compel constitutional accountability and safeguard citizens from avoidable harm.
“Nigerians should not be forced to choose between travelling and surviving. Roads are meant to connect lives, not end them. This case is a call for urgent remedial action, not confrontation,” he added.
The Numan–Jalingo road is a major federal corridor linking Adamawa and Taraba states. Its prolonged deterioration has been linked to frequent road accidents, incidents of kidnapping, economic losses and unsafe conditions for commuters.
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