Supreme Court Of Nigeria

The Supreme Court Of Nigeria is the highest judicial body in the country, located within the three arms zone of the central business district, it is an arm of government.

The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction in any dispute between the Federation and a state or between states and also has appellate jurisdiction to hear and determine appeals from the Court of Appeal.

The Supreme Court of Nigeria consists of the Chief Justice of Nigeria and such number of Justices of the Supreme Court, not exceeding twenty-one, as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly. Presently the Supreme Court is made up of the Chief Justice and thirteen (13) other Justices.

Jurisdiction of the Court

Section 230 to 236 of the 1999 constitution of Nigeria mention all about the Supreme Court.

However, section 232(1) specifically provides that “THE SUPREME COURT SHALL, TO THE EXCLUSION OF ANY OTHER COURT, HAVE ORIGINAL JURISDICTION IN ANY DISPUTE BETWEEN THE FEDERATION AND A STATE OR BETWEEN STATES IF AND IN SO FAR AS THAT DISPUTE INVOLVES ANY QUESTION (WHETHER OF LAW OR FACT) ON WHICH THE EXSTENCE OR EXTENT OF A LEGAL RIGHT DEPENDS”

(2) IN ADDITION TO (1) ABOVE THE SUPREME COURT SHALL HAVE SUCH ORIGINAL JURISDICTION AS MAY BE CONFERED UPON IT BY ANY ACT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY: PROVIDED THAT NO ORIGINAL JURISDICTION SHALL BE CONFERRED UPON THE SUPREME COURT WITH RESPECT TO ANY CRIMINAL MATTER. BY THE PROVISION OF SECTION 233(1) THE SUPREME COURT SHALL HAVE JURISDICTION, TO THE EXCLUSION OF ANY OTHER COURT OF LAW IN NIGERIA, TO HEAR AND DETERMINES APPEALS FROM THE COURT OF APPEAL”.

COMPOSITION OF THE COURT

Section 230 provides that the Supreme Court of Nigeria shall consist of (a) The Chief Justice of Nigeria (b) Such number of Justices of the Supreme Court, not exceeding Twenty One as may be prescribed by act of National Assembly.

The Administrative set up is being headed by the Chief Registrar, who of course is the Chief Administrative/Accounting Officer. He is answerable to the Honorable Chief Justice of Nigeria; He is being assisted by four Deputy Chief Registrars and other supporting Staff.

Departments

• Administration
• Engineering / Maintenance Department
• Establishment and Training
• Finance and Accounts
• Legal, Process and Archives
• Library
• Litigation
• Medical
• Planning, Research and Statistics
• Procurement

Chief Justice of the Federation

Hon. Mr. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola

Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria

Categories

• Arms of Government
• Government

Regions

• CBD
• Three Arms Zone

Location