The Judicature

Establishment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria

There shall be a Supreme Court of Nigeria. The Supreme Court of Nigeria shall consist 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.

Original jurisdiction of Supreme Court

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 existence or extent of a legal right depends.

Appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court shall have jurisdiction, to the exclusion of any other court of law in Nigeria, to hear and determine appeals from the Court of Appeal.

Establishment of the Court of Appeal

There shall be a Court of Appeal. The Court of Appeal shall consist of a President of the Court of Appeal; and such number of Justices of the Court of Appeal, not less than forty-nine of which not less than three shall be learned in Islamic personal law, and not less than three shall be learned in Customary law, as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly.

Establishment of the Federal High Court

There shall be a Federal High Court. The Federal High Court shall consist of a Chief Judge of the Federal High Court; and such number of Judges of the Federal High Court as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly.

Establishment of the National Industrial CourtAmended · 1

There shall be established a National Industrial Court of Nigeria. The National Industrial Court shall consist of a President of the National Industrial Court; and such number of Judges of the National Industrial Court as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly.

Footnote · Constitution (Third Alteration) Act, 2010 (2010)

Establishment of a High Court for each State

There shall be a High Court for each State of the Federation. The High Court of a State shall consist of a Chief Judge of the State; and such number of Judges of the High Court as may be prescribed by a Law of the House of Assembly of the State.

Establishment of Sharia Court of Appeal

There shall be for any State that requires it a Sharia Court of Appeal for that State.

Establishment of Customary Court of Appeal

There shall be for any State that requires it a Customary Court of Appeal for that State.

Removal of judicial officers from office

A judicial officer shall not be removed from his office or appointment before his age of retirement except in the case of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, President of the Court of Appeal, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Judge of a State, Grand Kadi of a Sharia Court of Appeal, President of a Customary Court of Appeal, by the President acting on an address supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate.