By EDITH NWAPI

A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama has declared diaspora chapters of Nigerian political parties illegal and subsequently nullified the All Progressives Congress (APC) party congress held in the United Kingdom.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had in a suit marked No: CV/187/2025 asked the court to nullify the UK Diaspora chapter of APC.

Justice Peter Kekemeke, on Wednesday, delivered the judgment that settled the long-running controversy surrounding the existence and operation of diaspora chapters of political parties registered in Nigeria.

He also ordered the transfer of over N30 million generated from the sale of forms by the APC to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The court held that diaspora chapters of Nigerian political parties were illegal, unconstitutional, and unknown to the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The court, while ruling in favour of INEC, said no political party registered in Nigeria had the constitutional authority to maintain, establish, or conduct congresses outside the country’s territorial boundaries.

He however, said Nigerians in the diaspora could support and mobilise for their preferred candidates in Nigeria, but political parties were not constitutionally permitted to have chapters abroad.

Kekemeke added that political parties could also not manage or arrange congresses for Nigerians living in the diaspora.

According to the court, any political party, individual, or group that operates, sponsors, promotes, or associates with a diaspora chapter of a Nigerian political party commits an offence.

The judge also held that any individual or group chairing or managing such chapter and soliciting membership dues or other financial contributions committed an offence punishable by a fine of N5 million and imprisonment.

INEC had criticised the conduct of the congress, saying its activities fell outside the constitutional and legal framework governing political parties in Nigeria.

The commission further informed the court of its intention to recover all monies unlawfully collected in connection with the purported diaspora congress estimated to exceed N30 million.

The court granted all the 14 reliefs sought by the claimant, including five mandatory orders that were supported by the commission. (NAN)

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