Supreme Court of Nigeria
Established1 October 1963 (1963-10-01)
LocationThree Arms Zone, Abuja, FCT, Nigeria
Composition methodPresidential nomination with Senate confirmation
Authorized byConstitution of Nigeria
Judge term lengthLife tenure with mandatory retirement at the age of 70
Number of positions21
Websitewww.supremecourt.gov.ng
Chief Justice of Nigeria
CurrentlyOlukayode Ariwoola
Since27 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

Office Name Term
Chief Justice Olukayode Ariwoola 2011–present
Associate Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun2013–present
Associate Justice John Inyang Okoro2013–present
Associate justice Uwani Musa Abba Aji2018–present
Associate Justice M. Lawal Garba2020–present
Associate Justice Helen M. Ogunwumiju2020–present
Associate Justice I. N. M. Saulawa2020–present
Associate Justice Adamu Jauro2020–present
Associate Justice Tijjani Abubakar2020–present
Associate Justice Emmanuel A. Agim2020–present
Associate Justice Haruna Tsammani2023–present
Associate Justice Moore Adumein2023–present
Associate Justice Jummai Sankey2023–present
Associate Justice Chidiebere Uwa2023–present
Associate Justice Chioma Nwosu-Iheme2023–present
Associate Justice Obande Ogbuinya2023–present
Associate Justice Stephen Adah2023–present
Associate Justice Habeeb Abiru2023–present
Associate Justice Jamilu Tukur2023–present
Associate Justice Abubakar Umar2023–present
Associate Justice Mohammed Idris2023–present

Others

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

See also

Supreme Court Act 1990

References

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