Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumThe Independence Constitution of 1960

Which judicial organ retained final appellate authority over legal disputes in Nigeria under the provisions of the 1960 Independence Constitution?

  1. Judicial Committee of the Privy CouncilAnswer
  2. B
    Supreme Court of Nigeria
  3. C
    West African Court of Appeal
  4. D
    Federal High Court of Appeal

Answer

Judicial Committee of the Privy Council
Under the 1960 Independence Constitution, Nigeria operated as a constitutional monarchy within the Commonwealth. As a result, legal appeals beyond the domestic courts were directed to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London, making it the final court of appeal.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Examine the judicial structure under the 1960 Independence Constitution.
Identify that Nigeria achieved independence as a constitutional monarchy with Queen Elizabeth II as Head of State represented by a Governor-General.
Because constitutional monarchy ties were retained in 1960, final legal sovereignty was not fully localized.
2
Determine the highest court of appeal within this constitutional framework.
Confirm that cases could still be appealed beyond the domestic courts to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London.
The Privy Council remained the apex court until the 1963 Republican Constitution formally severed allegiance to the British Crown.

Key Concept

Judicial Appellate Hierarchy of the 1960 Independence Constitution
Rate this question

Topics

The Independence Constitution of 1960