The ECOWAS Court has fixed judgment for June 30 in a suit that seeks among others, the abolition of the practice where political parties impose fees on members who want to contest for public offices.
The applicants in the suit filed by five Nigerians, are alleging that the fees imposed by Nigeria’s political parties for aspirants to public offices amounted to the violation of their human rights.
The applicants: Kenneth Roberts, Goodluck Edafe, Matthew Oguche, Macauley William-Jumbo and Josephine Okeke, who said they reside in different cities in Nigeria, claimed that the imposition of fees has resulted in a gradual and systematic entrenchment of plutocracy, a government only by the rich in Nigeria.
Justice Edward Amoako Asante, who presided over the hearing yesterday, adjourned the matter for judgment after hearing both parties.
Addressing the court, plaintiffs’ lawyer, Festus Ogwuche argued that registered political parties in Nigeria were in the habit of imposing outrageous fees for declaration/expression of interest and nomination forms thereby discriminating against medium and low income aspirants to public offices in the Respondent state.
