PRISONERS’ RIGHT TO VOTE IN NIGERIA: A REVIEW OF VICTOR EMENUWE AND ORS V INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION (INEC) AND COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF NIGERIA PRISONS

Abstract

n  2014, the  Federal  High  Court  pronounced  on  the  right  of  prisoners  in  Nigeria  to  vote  in  the  case  ofVictor Emenuwe  and  Ors  v  Independent  National  Electoral  Commission  (INEC)  and  Comptroller  General  of  Nigeria Prisons. Dissatisfied with part of this judgment, Victor Emenuwe and Ors appealed to the Court of Appeal sitting at Benin, Edo State, Nigeria. On December 7, 2018, the Court of Appeal gave its judgment, but this decision was in the apron string of the lower court on the voting procedure for prison inmates. This case note looks at the legal context of these court decisions on prisoners’ right to vote by examining the arguments placed before the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal. It provides insights into the legal and administrative implications of the court decisions and how  this  decision  can  be  enforced.  Further,  this  case  note  contended  that  the  Court  of  Appeal  decision  satisfies Nigeria’s legislation on voting rights, although inadequate on the procedure on how to ensure this right is enjoyed by prisoners.