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Difficulty: Very hardThe Judiciary: Functions, Hierarchy of Courts, and Judicial Review

Match each judicial mechanism or constitutional power on the left with its corresponding legal definition and application within the Nigerian judicial system on the right.

  • Doctrine of Ultra ViresThe power of the judiciary to nullify executive acts or legislative statutes that exceed granted constitutional authority.
  • Original Jurisdiction of the Supreme CourtDirect trial authority over legal disputes arising exclusively between the Federal Government and a State, or between constituent States.
  • Writ of Habeas CorpusA judicial remedy commanding an authority detaining a citizen to present the detainee before the court to show lawful justification for detention.
  • Supervisory Jurisdiction of High CourtsThe constitutional authority to issue prerogative orders overseeing and reviewing proceedings conducted by inferior tribunals and lower courts.

Answer

The correct pairings match: Doctrine of Ultra Vires to the power of nullifying acts exceeding constitutional authority; Original Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court to direct trial authority over intergovernmental disputes; Writ of Habeas Corpus to the judicial remedy compelling production of a detainee to justify detention; and Supervisory Jurisdiction of High Courts to constitutional authority overseeing inferior tribunals.
Each mechanism accurately reflects constitutional powers under Nigerian law: ultra vires underpins judicial review; original Supreme Court jurisdiction covers federal-state disputes; habeas corpus protects personal liberty against arbitrary arrest; and supervisory jurisdiction empowers High Courts to oversee lower tribunals.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the core concept of judicial review and constitutional limits.
Identify that the 'Doctrine of Ultra Vires' serves as the legal foundation permitting courts to declare acts beyond authority void.
Judicial review relies on enforcing constitutional boundaries over executive and legislative organs.
2
Examine the specific constitutional original jurisdiction granted to apex courts in Nigeria.
Confirm that the Supreme Court hears intergovernmental disputes (Federation vs. State or State vs. State) as a trial court of first instance.
Section 232 of the Nigerian Constitution reserves inter-state and federal-state litigation exclusively for the Supreme Court's original jurisdiction.
3
Evaluate judicial protection mechanisms for fundamental rights.
Connect 'Writ of Habeas Corpus' with the judicial order requiring detaining authorities to present a person in court to verify lawful detention.
Habeas corpus is an essential common-law writ enforced by Nigerian courts to safeguard personal freedom against unlawful executive detention.
4
Differentiate supervisory powers within judicial hierarchy.
Associate 'Supervisory Jurisdiction of High Courts' with prerogative powers used to monitor and review lower courts and tribunals.
Superior courts of record maintain oversight over subordinate tribunals to prevent excess of jurisdiction or procedural illegalities.

Key Concept

Functions of the Judiciary, Constitutional Jurisdictions, and Judicial Review Mechanisms in Nigeria
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Topics

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

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