Court rejects suit seeking to stop polls over exclusion of Nigerians abroad
Written by Olarotimi Oshin on February 15, 2023
Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit seeking to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from proceeding with the forthcoming general elections in view of the exclusion of eligible Nigerians living in foreign countries.
In a judgment today, Justice Inyang Ekwo found that the existing law in the country did not guarantee the right of Nigerians abroad to vote in any election.
Justice Ekwo, while describing the suit as unmeritorious, held that where a right was not provided for in the Constitution, there was no need insisting on the enforcement of such a right not recognized by law.
The judgment was on a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Chikwe Nkemnacho and Kenneth Azubuike Nkemnacho (on behalf of Nigerians abroad).
The judge added that it was the responsibility of those affected by the issue to engage the Legislature to enact the needed law to accommodate them in future elections.
