Nigerians in Philippines, Cambodia Threaten Legal Action Over Embassy Registration Requirement
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
A group of Nigerians residing in the Philippines and Cambodia has given the Federal Government a seven-day deadline to withdraw a policy they claim makes membership in a diaspora association a condition for accessing consular services.
The affected citizens, represented by a legal team led by Chukwuma Nwachukwu, have formally petitioned the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, urging immediate intervention. They argue that the directive issued by the Nigerian Embassy in Manila violates constitutional rights and unfairly restricts access to government services.
The controversy stems from a notice reportedly released by the embassy on May 20, stating that Nigerians seeking consular assistance must first register with the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Philippines (NIDOPHIL). According to the petitioners, the requirement also affects Nigerian students and other citizens who depend on embassy services for passport renewals, documentation, and related matters.
Lawyers representing the group contend that compelling Nigerians to join an association before receiving consular assistance amounts to a violation of the constitutional right to freedom of association. They maintain that membership in any diaspora organization should remain voluntary and cannot be imposed as a condition for accessing services provided by the government.
The petition further argues that the policy could create significant difficulties for Nigerians living in both countries, particularly students and residents who require timely embassy support to maintain their legal and academic status. The lawyers warned that denying access to embassy facilities on the basis of non-membership could expose affected individuals to unnecessary hardship.
The legal team also questioned the authority of the embassy to enforce such a requirement. They noted that diaspora-related engagement falls under the responsibilities of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), adding that neither the commission nor diplomatic missions abroad possess the legal power to compel Nigerians to join any branch of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation.
According to the petitioners, every Nigerian citizen holding valid travel documents should be entitled to consular services without additional conditions. They argued that the embassy failed to identify any law or regulation that authorizes the directive and urged the Foreign Affairs Ministry to reverse the policy immediately.
While expressing readiness to pursue legal action, the group indicated that it would suspend plans for litigation if the directive is withdrawn within seven days. However, they warned that failure to address their concerns could result in a court case seeking constitutional remedies and other forms of redress against the Federal Government.
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