Supreme Court of Nigeria explained

Court Name:Supreme Court of Nigeria
Jurisdiction:Nigeria
Location:Three Arms Zone, Abuja, FCT, Nigeria
Type:Presidential nomination with confirmation by the senate
Authority:Constitution of Nigeria
Terms:Life tenure with mandatory retirement at the age of 70
Positions:21
Chiefjudgetitle:Chief Justice of Nigeria
Termstart: 27 June 2022

The Supreme Court of Nigeria (SCN) is the highest court in Nigeria, and is located in the Central District, Abuja, in what is known as the Three Arms Zone, so called due to the proximity of the offices of the Presidential Complex, the National Assembly, and the Supreme Court.[1] [2]

Overview

In 1963, the Federal Republic of Nigeria was proclaimed and Nnamdi Azikiwe became its first President.[3] Appeals from the Federal Supreme Court to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council were abolished at that point, and the Supreme Court became the highest court in Nigeria. In 1976, the Court of Appeal (originally known as the Federal Court of Appeal) was established as a national court to entertain appeals from the High Courts of each of Nigeria's 36 states, which are the trial courts of general jurisdiction. The Supreme Court in its current form was shaped by the Supreme Court Act of 1990 and by Chapter VII of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.

Under the 1999 constitution, the Supreme Court has both original and appellate jurisdictions, has the sole authority and jurisdiction to entertain appeals from Court of Appeal, having appellate jurisdiction over all lower federal courts and highest state courts.[4] Decisions rendered by the court are binding on all courts in Nigeria except the Supreme Court itself.[5]

Structure and organization

The Supreme Court is composed of the Chief Justice of Nigeria and such number of justices not more than 21, appointed by the President on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council, (NJC)[6] [7] and subject to confirmation by the Senate. Justices of the Supreme Court must be qualified to practice law in Nigeria, and must have been so qualified for a period not less than fifteen years. Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria have a mandatory retirement age of 70 years.[8] [9]

Current justices

See main article: Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

bgcolor=#000000 colspan=3
OfficeNameTerm
bgcolor=#000000 colspan=3
Olukayode Ariwoola 2011–present
Associate JusticeKudirat Kekere-Ekun2013–present
Associate JusticeJohn Inyang Okoro2013–present
Associate justiceUwani Musa Abba Aji2018–present
Associate JusticeM. Lawal Garba2020–present
Associate JusticeHelen M. Ogunwumiju2020–present
Associate JusticeI. M. M. Saulawa2020–present
Associate JusticeAdamu Jauro2020–present
Associate JusticeTijjani Abubakar2020–present
Associate JusticeEmmanuel A. Agim2020–present
Associate JusticeHaruna Tsammani2024–present
Associate JusticeMoore Adumein2024–present
Associate JusticeJummai Sankey2024–present
Associate JusticeChidiebere Uwa2024–present
Associate JusticeChioma Nwosu-Iheme2024–present
Associate JusticeObande Ogbuinya2024–present
Associate JusticeStephen Adah2024–present
Associate JusticeHabeeb Abiru2024–present
Associate JusticeJamilu Tukur2024–present
Associate JusticeAbubakar Umar2024–present
Associate JusticeMohammed Idris2024–present

Others

On 26 March 2019, Justice Sidi Dauda Bage was appointed Emir of Lafia[10]

See also

Supreme Court Act 1990

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Steer Clear Of Three Arms Zone, Police Warn Nigerian Protesters. 2019-07-18. Sahara Reporters. 2020-02-17.
  2. Web site: The desecration of the Three Arms Zone. Shuaibu. Umar. 2014-05-05. Daily Trust. en-GB. 2020-02-17.
  3. Web site: 2018-11-16 . Nnamdi Azikiwe: A True National Hero . 2022-03-02 . The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News . en-US.
  4. Sokefun . Justus . Njoku . Nduka . 2016-03-30 . The Court System in Nigeria: Jurisdiction and Appeals . en . Rochester, NY. 2940058 .
  5. Web site: Legal systems in Nigeria: overview . 2022-04-11 . Practical Law . en-GB.
  6. Web site: NJC approves appointment of four Supreme Court Justices - Premium Times Nigeria. 2019-10-24. en-GB. 2020-02-17.
  7. Web site: NJC approves 4 Supreme Court Justices' appointment P.M. News. pmnewsnigeria.com. 2020-02-17.
  8. Web site: Recruitment and Tenure of Supreme Court Justices in Nigeria.
  9. Web site: Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. www.nigeria-law.org.
  10. Web site: Andrew Aondofa . Chila . 2020-03-14 . HRH. (Justice) Sidi Dauda Bage: The 17th Emir Of Lafia . 2021-10-27 . The Abusites . en-US.