Nigeria, July 12 -- The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a N500 million suit seeking protection for "vulnerable residents" of the Nigeria's capital city, Abuja, including scavengers, beggars and roadside petty traders.

The decision, delivered on Thursday, allowed the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) authorities, including the FCT minister Nyesom Wike, to proceed with the crackdown aimed at ridding the capital city of the category of people.

"There is no dignity in begging as we are encouraged to work hard," Judge James Omotosho ruled, holding that the fundamental rights enforcement suit lacked merit.

The judge said begging, as a full-time profession, is usually a result of laziness and indolence on the part of the beggar.

He s...