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Difficulty: MediumThe Judiciary: Functions, Hierarchy of Courts, and Judicial Review

In the Nigerian legal system, judicial decisions adhere strictly to judicial precedent based on the hierarchy of courts. Arrange the following courts in sequence from the HIGHEST level of authority (apex court) to the LOWEST subordinate court.

  1. 1Supreme Court of Nigeria
  2. 2Court of Appeal
  3. 3High Court of a State
  4. 4Magistrate Court

Answer

The correct sequence from highest to lowest judicial authority is Supreme Court of Nigeria, Court of Appeal, High Court of a State, and Magistrate Court.
The correct order follows the constitutional hierarchy of courts in Nigeria from apex authority to base subordinate level. The Supreme Court of Nigeria is the ultimate judicial authority (apex court). Directly below it is the Court of Appeal, which hears appeals from superior trial courts. The High Court of a State operates below the Court of Appeal as a superior court of record. Finally, Magistrate Courts are subordinate summary courts operating at the lower level of the judicial hierarchy beneath the High Court.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the apex judicial body in Nigeria.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria is placed at the top of the hierarchy.
It is established by the Constitution as the final court of appeal whose decisions bind all lower courts.
2
Identify the intermediate appellate court directly below the apex court.
The Court of Appeal ranks second.
It receives appeals from superior courts of record such as High Courts and specialized appellate courts.
3
Identify the superior trial court of record ranking below the intermediate appellate tier.
The High Court of a State occupies the third position.
It acts as a superior trial court superior to summary subordinate courts.
4
Identify the lowest subordinate court among the options.
The Magistrate Court sits at the lowest level in this sequence.
Magistrate Courts are subordinate summary courts operating beneath the jurisdiction and oversight of the High Court.

Key Concept

Hierarchy of Courts in the Nigerian Judicial System
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

The Judiciary: Functions, Hierarchy of Courts, and Judicial Review

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