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  1. Constitutions
  2. Nigeria
  3. Official source page 81

🇳🇬 NigeriaConstitution

Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999

Official source page 81

Jurisdiction
Nigeria
Provision
81
Source language
English
Recorded status
in force
More details
Recorded status
in force

Provision text

Official source
(5) Except on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council, an appointment pursuant to the provisions of subsection (4) of this section shall cease to have effect after the expiration of three months from the date of such appointment, and the President shall not re-appointment a person whose appointment has lapsed. 232. (1) 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. (2) In addition to the jurisdiction conferred upon it by subsection (1) of this section, the Supreme Court shall have such original jurisdiction as may be conferred 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. 233. (1) 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. (2) An appeal shall lie form decisions of the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court as of right in the following cases - (a) where the ground of appeal involves questions of law alone, decisions in any civil or criminal proceedings before the Court of Appeal; (b) decisions in any civil or criminal proceedings on questions as to the interpretation or application of this constitution, (c) decisions in any civil or criminal proceedings on questions as to whether any of the provisions of Chapter IV of this Constitution has been, is being or is likely to be, contravened in relation to any person; (d) decisions in any criminal proceedings in which any person has been sentenced to death by the Court of Appeal or in which the Court of Appeal has affirmed a sentence of death imposed by any other court; (e) decisions on any question - (i) whether any person has been validly elected to the office of President or Vice-President under this Constitution, (ii) whether the term of office of office of President or Vice-President has ceased, (iii) whether the office of President or Vice-President has become vacant; and (c) such other cases as may be an Act of the National Assembly. (3) Subject to the provisions of subsection (2) of this section, an appeal shall lie from the decisions of the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court with the leave of the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court. (4) The Supreme Court may dispose of any application for leave to appeal from any decision of the Court Appeal in respect of any civil or criminal proceedings in the record of the proceedings if the Supreme Court is of opinion that the interests of justice do not require an oral hearing of the application. (5) Any right of appeal to the supreme Court from the decisions of the Court of Appeal conferred by this section shall be exercisable in the Case of civil proceedings at the instance of a party thereto, or with the leave of the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court at the instance of an person having an interest in the matter, and in the case of criminal proceedings at the instance of an accused person, or subject to the provisions of this Constitution and any powers conferred upon the Attorney-General of the Federation or the Attorney-General of a state to take over and continue or to discontinue such proceedings, at the instance of such other authorities or persons as may be prescribed.

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Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 · nass.gov.ng · Retrieved 18 August 2026.

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