NIGERIANS in the Diaspora have taken their quest to participate in the country's electoral process to the judicial turf.

At the Federal High Court, Abuja, they have sought an order compelling the Federal Government to end their age-long disenfranchisement.

The plaintiffs, numbering 20 and led by Mr. Oluwafolajimi Bello, contended that they were entitled to participate from abroad in the government of the country by voting for candidates of their choice.

In the suit filed on their behalf by Lagos lawyer, Femi Falana, the plaintiffs named the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) as first and second defendants.

They prayed the court to declare that they were qualified for registration as voters by virtue of Section 13 (1) (c) of the Electoral Act 2006 and Sections 72, 177, 132 and 178 of the 1999 Constitution.

The plaintiffs also asked the court to order INEC and the AGF to establish registration centres and polling stations in all of Nigeria's High Commissions and embassies abroad.

In a 12-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Bello, they averred that although they work and earn their livelihood in Canada, United Kingdom (UK) and United Arabs Emirates (UAE), they visit Nigeria regularly and maintain families and businesses in the country.

The plaintiffs said in spite of these, they were deprived of the opportunity to register and vote for their representatives in the government of Nigeria by INEC at their place of abode.

They also averred that rather than establishing voters' registration centres for them abroad, INEC made it mandatory for them to return home in person before they could register as voters and cast their votes at any elections.

By so doing, Bello alleged that the citizens were disenfranchised by the procedure contrary to the provisions of Article 13 (1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, to which Nigeria is a signatory.

The suit was mentioned before Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako yesterday.

When the matter came up for hearing, Murtala-Nyako adjourned the case till July 11 to enable Falana effect service of the court processes on the defendants.