LEGAL PRINCIPLE: CIVIL PROCEDURE — Locus Standi — Requirement of Sufficient Interest
PRINCIPLE STATEMENT
To invoke the judicial power of the court, a plaintiff must show sufficient interest or threat of injury he would suffer.
RATIO DECIDENDI (SOURCE)
Per Ogundare, JSC, in Yesufu v. Gov. Edo State & Ors (2001) NLC-701996(SC) at p. 12; Paras B–C.
"It would appear from the welter of authorities on locus standi that a plaintiff, to enable him invoke the judicial power of the court, must show sufficient interest or threat of injury he would suffer."
EXPLANATION / SCOPE
Locus standi requires the plaintiff to demonstrate sufficient interest in the subject matter or a threat of injury. The interest must be personal, direct, and not merely speculative. The plaintiff must show that the defendant’s action adversely affects their legal rights or interests. The test balances access to justice with preventing meddlesome interlopers. The plaintiff cannot be a mere busybody. The interest must be justiciable. The principle applies to constitutional and administrative law cases as well. The threat of injury must be real, not imaginary. The court examines the pleadings to determine standing. The burden is on the plaintiff to show sufficient interest.