Federal High Court of Nigeria explained

Authority:Constitution of Nigeria
Terms:Life tenure with mandatory retirement at the age of 65.
Location:Shehu Shagari Way, Central District, Abuja, FCT, Nigeria
Type:Presidential nomination with Senate confirmation

The Federal High Court of Nigeria (FHC) is one the Federal superior Courts of record in Nigeria.[1] It has coordinate jurisdiction with the High Courts of the States of the Federation, including FCT. The headquarters is located in Shehu Shagari Way, Central District Abuja.[2]

Overview

The Federal High Court was formerly called the Federal Revenue Court and was established by the Federal Revenue Act of 1973.[3] However, by virtue of section 228(1) and 230 (2) of the 1979 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it was renamed, Federal High Court. [4] The Federal High Court has both criminal and civil jurisdiction over matter instituted before it pursuant to section 251 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).[5]

Structure and Organization

The Federal High Court is composed of the Chief Judge and such number of judges as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly.[6] Judges of the FHC are appointed by the President on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council, and subject to confirmation by the Senate. [7] To qualify for the post of a Chief Judge or judges of the Federal High Court, such a person must have been qualified to practice law in Nigeria, and must have been so qualified for a period not less than ten years. The retirement age for Judges of the Federal High Court of Nigeria is 65 years.[8]

As at December, 2021, the total number of Federal High Court judges in the country stood at 75.[9] Meanwhile, the total number of cases across the various judicial division was 128,000[10]

List of Judicial Divisions

Although, the court is headquartered in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, it has several judicial divisions around the country.[11] [12] These are:

  1. Federal High Court, Abuja (Headquarters)
  2. Federal High Court, Abakaliki
  3. Federal High Court, Abeokuta
  4. Federal High Court, Akure
  5. Federal High Court, Ado- Ekiti
  6. Federal High Court, Awka
  7. Federal High Court, Asaba
  8. Federal High Court, Bauchi
  9. Federal High Court, Yenegao
  10. Federal High Court, Benin
  11. Federal High Court Calabar
  12. Federal High Court, Damaturu
  13. Federal High Court, Dutse
  14. Federal High Court, Enugu
  15. Federal High Court, Gombe
  16. Federal High Court, Ibadan
  17. Federal High Court, Ikeja
  18. Federal High Court, IIorin
  19. Federal High Court, Jos
  20. Federal High Court, Kaduna
  21. Federal High Court, Kano
  22. Federal High Court, Lafia
  23. Federal High Court, Lagos
  24. Federal High Court, Maiduguri
  25. Federal High Court, Markurdi
  26. Federal High Court, Minna
  27. Federal High Court, Oshogbo
  28. Federal High Court, Port Harcourt
  29. Federal High Court, Owerri
  30. Federal High Court, Sokoto
  31. Federal High Court, Umuahia
  32. Federal High Court, Warri

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Court History . 2024-06-29 . www.nextfhc.fhc.gov.ng.
  2. Web site: Nigeria Standing International Forum of Commercial Courts . 2022-04-12 . sifocc.org.
  3. Web site: Federal High Court Act . 2024-06-29 . www.commonlii.org.
  4. Web site: jurisdiction . 2024-06-29 . www.nextfhc.fhc.gov.ng.
  5. Web site: 2021-02-20 . OVERVIEW OF THE JURISDICTION OF THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT IN NIGERIA . 2022-04-12 . Resolution law firm . en-US.
  6. Web site: Src='https://Secure.gravatar.com/Avatar/6a66b3935161f734080a41492192a7bc?s=90 . <i .
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    . Srcset='https://Secure.gravatar.com/Avatar/6a66b3935161f734080a41492192a7bc?s=180 .
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    .
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    . Width='90' /> .
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    . Chapter 7, Section 249 - Establishment of the Federal High Court . 2024-06-29 . nigerian-constitution.com . en-US.
  7. Web site: National Judicial Council . 2024-06-29 . njc.gov.ng.
  8. Web site: 2021-01-30 . NASS mulls extending retirement age of Supreme Court justices . 2022-04-12 . The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News . en-US.
  9. Web site: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/501271-federal-high-court-with-75-judges-has-128000-pending-cases-chief-judge.html?tztc=1 . 2024-06-29 . www.premiumtimesng.com.
  10. Web site: 2021-12-17 . Federal High Court with 75 judges has 128,000 pending cases - Chief Judge Premium Times Nigeria . 2022-04-12 . en-GB.
  11. Web site: :: About Federal High Court Nigeria :: . 2022-04-13 . www.fhc-ng.com.
  12. Web site: List of Nigeria Federal High Court Divisions Headquarters - Finelib.com . 2022-04-13 . www.finelib.com.