Court dismisses suit challenging parties’ nomination fees

Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, dismissed a suit filed by a human rights lawyer, Ejime Okolie, challenging the political parties’ exorbitant nomination fees.

Okolie had filed the case to challenge alleged imposition of outrageous expression of interest and nomination fees for card-carrying members vying for political offices in the country.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the 19 political parties were listed as respondents in the suit.

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Justice Nyako, in a judgment, dismissed the suit on the grounds that the issue raised by the lawyer falls extremely within the internal affairs of political parties and that the court would not interfere in such cases.

According to the judge, the fact that the fee charged by a political party is too high does not amount to constitutional wrong.

She observed that though all the parties in the suit were duly served with court documents, only few of them responded.

She said few of the respondents filed preliminary objections where they challenged Okolie’s legal right to Institute the case.

The judge, therefore, said that political parties have their set rules and guidelines, even though the constitution gives everyone the right to associate.

She said a member is free to leave one party for another if he is unsatisfied with the way and manner a party conducts its affairs.

Justice Nyako, who appreciated Okolie’s efforts in instituting the suit, said the application failed to succeed.

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