HIERARCHY OF COURT IN NIGERIA
2. COURT OF APPEAL
3. FEDERAL HIGH COURT
4. FEDERAL HIGH COURT FCT
5. STATE HIGH COURT
6. SHARIA COURT OF APPEAL FCT
7. SHARIA COURT OF APPEAL OF A STATE
8. CUSTOMARY COURT OF APPEAL FCT
9. CUSTOMARY COURT OF APPEAL OF STATE
10. MAGISTRATE COURT
11. AREA COURT
THE SUPREME
COURT
Normally,
the Supreme Court bench constitutes the chief justice and not more than 21
justices. The court is properly constituted during hearing when five justices
are seated on the bench. However when the court is exercising its appellate
jurisdiction pursuant to section 233(2) paragraphs B or c of the 1999
Constitution, the court is properly constituted with seven justices at the
bench. The same applies when it exercises its original jurisdiction under
section 232 of the constitution. The Supreme Court bench sits directly opposite
the bar with counsel for the prosecution or the plaintiff as the case may be,
seated to the right hand side of the bar; whereas counsel for the defence sits
to the left hand side of the bar. When the Supreme Court exercises its
appellate jurisdiction, the court dispenses with the witness box, while the
dock, when it involves a criminal appeal, is to the left hand side of the
Justices. However, there may be a need for a witness box when the court
exercises its original jurisdiction. The court clerk and the registrar sit in
the front of the Justices.
COURT OF
APPEAL
This
court has a president who is the head of the court of appeal the court is duly
constituted when at least three justices of that court are seated on the bench
for proceedings. The same obtain in an appeal from a Sharia Court of Appeal or
a Customary Court of appeal. See section 247 of the constitution. Again, when
the court of appeal exercises its appellate criminal jurisdiction, it dispenses
with the witness box while the dock is to the left hand side of the Justices.
The court clerk and the registrar sit in the front of the Justices. The
appellant’s counsel sits to the right hand side of the judge while the
respondent’s counsel sits to the left hand side of the judge.
FEDERAL HIGH
COURT
The
court is duly constituted with at least one Judges of the court at the bench
during proceedings. The witness box is to the right hand side of the judge
while the dock is to the left hand side of the Judge. The clerk and the
registrar are usually seated in front of the Judge. The prosecution or
plaintiff counsel sits to the right hand side of the judge while the defence
sits to the left hand side of the judge.
HIGH COURT OF THE
FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA.
The
court is duly constituted with at least one judge of the court seated for
hearing. The witness box is to the right hand side of the judge while the dock
is to the left hand side of the judge. The clerk and the registrar are usually
seated in front of the judge. The prosecution or plaintiff counsel sit to the
right hand side of the judge while the defence sits to the left hand side of
the judge.
SHARIA COURT
OF APPEAL OF THE FCT, ABUJA.
This
court is duly constituted with at least 3 khadis of that court present and
seated at the bench for trial.
CUSTOMARY
COURT OF APPEAL OF THE FCT, ABUJA
The
court is duly constituted with at least 3 judges of the court seated for
hearing.
CUSTOMARY
COURT OF APPEAL OF A STATE.
This
court is duly constituted with at least 3 judges of that court.
CORONER’S
COURT
This
court is presided by the coroner during a
coroner’s inquest.
,
COURT
MARSHALL
A
court marshal has 2 categories of constitution:
1. General court marshal: this
category of court marshal is properly constituted with a president and less
than 4 other officers, a waiting member, a liaison officer and judge advocate
Special court marshal: this category of court
marshal is properly constituted with a president and not less than two other
members, a waiting member, a liaison officer and a judge Follow @LawRepositoryNG
You did not add the High Court of States.
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