Supreme Court of Nigeria

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]

Supreme Court of Nigeria
EstablishedOctober 1, 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 positions16
Websitewww.supremecourt.gov.ng
Chief Justice of Nigeria
CurrentlyIbrahim Tanko Muhammad
Nigeria
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Overview

In 1963, the Federal Republic of Nigeria was proclaimed and Nnamdi Azikiwe became its first President. 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. Decisions rendered by the court are binding on all courts in Nigeria except the Supreme Court itself.

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)[3][4] 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.[5][6]

Current justices
Office Name Term
Chief Justice (acting) Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad2006–incumbent
Associate Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour2010–incumbent
Associate Justice Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta2011–incumbent
Associate Justice Mary Odili2011–incumbent
Associate Justice Olukayode Ariwoola2011–incumbent
Associate Justice Musa Datijo Muhammad2012–incumbent
Associate Justice Kumai Bayang Akaahs2012–incumbent
Associate Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun2013–incumbent
Associate Justice John Inyang Okoro2013–incumbent
Associate Justice Chima Centus Nweze2014–incumbent
Associate Justice Amiru Sanusi2015–incumbent
Associate Justice Amina Adamu Augie2016–incumbent
Associate Justice Ejembi Eko2016–incumbent
Associate Justice Paul Adamu Galinje2016–incumbent
Associate Justice Sidi Dauda Bage2016–incumbent
Associate justice Uwani Musa Abba Aji2018-incumbent

Updated list

1 Hon. Justice Walter S. N. Onnoghen GCON
2 Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad CFR
3 Hon. Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour CFR
4 Hon. Justice Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta CFR
5 Hon. Justice Mary Ukaego Peter-Odili CFR
6 Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola
7 Hon. Justice Musa Dattijo Muhammad
8 Hon. Justice Kumai Bayang Akaahs OFR
9 Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun
10 Hon. Justice John Inyang Okoro
11 Hon. Justice Chima Centus Nweze
12 Hon. Justice Amiru Sanusi OFR
13 Hon. Justice Amina Adamu Augie CON
14 Hon. Justice Ejembi Eko
15 Hon. Justice Paul Adamu Galinje
16 Hon. Justice Sidi Dauda Bage
17 Hon. Justice Uwani Abba Aji

Justice Sidi Dauda Bage was appointed Emir of Lafia

See also

SUpreme Court Act 1990

References
  1. siteadmin (2019-07-18). "Steer Clear Of Three Arms Zone, Police Warn Nigerian Protesters". Sahara Reporters. Retrieved 2020-02-17.
  2. Shuaibu, Umar (2014-05-05). "The desecration of the Three Arms Zone". Daily Trust. Retrieved 2020-02-17.
  3. "NJC approves appointment of four Supreme Court Justices - Premium Times Nigeria". 2019-10-24. Retrieved 2020-02-17.
  4. "NJC approves 4 Supreme Court Justices' appointment | P.M. News". pmnewsnigeria.com. Retrieved 2020-02-17.
  5. "Recruitment and Tenure of Supreme Court Justices in Nigeria".
  6. "Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria". www.nigeria-law.org.
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