International Journal of Scientific Research and Innovative Technology ISSN: 2313-3759 Vol. 3 No. 1; January 2016 LOCUS STANDI AND ADMINISTRATIVE LAW IN NIGERIA: NEED FOR CLARITYOF APPROACH BY THE COURTS Oyelowo Oyewo Professor of Law Department of Public Law Faculty of Law University of Lagos Akoka, Lagos Nigeria E-mail:
[email protected] [email protected] Tel: +234-(0)802-311-6766 78 International Journal of Scientific Research and Innovative Technology ISSN: 2313-3759 Vol. 3 No. 1; January 2016 ABSTRACT The article examines the concept of locus standi, its application in Nigeria, the nuances of the court’s approach arising from the importation of justiciability, the application of the sufficient interest test, and the nature of locus standi that ought to apply in public interest ligation. The bearing of all these on jurisdiction is discussed before the conclusion and recommendation for clarity of approach by the Nigerian courts. KEYWORD Locus standi, justiciability, sufficient interest, public interest litigation, action popularis, jurisdiction 1. 0. Introduction Locus Standi is a threshold issue in litigations that affects access to justice, jurisdiction, judicial powers and remediation of civil wrongs in the field of constitutional and administrative law. The Supreme Court’s decision in Abraham Adesanya v President, Federal Republic of Nigeria1 stands as the watershed for the modern approach for the application of locus standi in Nigeria. Interestingly, the apex court’ subsequent decision in Gani Fawehinmi v Akilu2that was supposed to have liberalized the restrictive approach of the court in the Adesanya casedid not overrule it. Indeed, the approach of the apex court on the subject need clarity as there are discordant notes in its decisions and that of the Court of Appeal on the subject.