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

In accordance with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), match each court or judicial power in the left column with its correct constitutional function or jurisdiction in the right column.

  • Supreme Court of NigeriaExercises exclusive original jurisdiction over disputes between the Federation and a State, or between States.
  • Court of AppealServes as the court of first instance with exclusive original jurisdiction over presidential election petitions.
  • High CourtHolds broad original jurisdiction over fundamental rights enforcement and major civil/criminal trials.
  • Power of Judicial ReviewAuthorizes courts to declare legislative enactments or executive actions null and void if inconsistent with the Constitution.

Answer

Supreme Court of Nigeria pairs with original jurisdiction over Federation-State disputes; Court of Appeal pairs with exclusive original jurisdiction for presidential election petitions; High Court pairs with fundamental rights enforcement and trial jurisdiction; Power of Judicial Review pairs with declaring unconstitutional laws null and void.
Each court in the Nigerian judicial hierarchy possesses specific original and appellate powers defined in the 1999 Constitution: the Supreme Court hears intergovernmental disputes between the Federation and States; the Court of Appeal hears presidential election petitions as a court of first instance; High Courts handle general trial litigation and fundamental human rights enforcement; and the power of judicial review enables superior courts to invalidate unconstitutional acts.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the apex court's constitutional original jurisdiction.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria adjudicates legal disputes directly between the Federal Government and component states.
Section 232 of the 1999 Constitution grants exclusive original jurisdiction for intergovernmental disputes to the Supreme Court.
2
Identify the original tribunal role of the Court of Appeal.
The Court of Appeal acts as the election tribunal of first instance for presidential and vice-presidential elections.
Section 239 specifies original jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal in presidential election challenges.
3
Examine trial-level jurisdiction and human rights enforcement.
High Courts serve as primary trial courts of record with jurisdiction over fundamental rights enforcement under Chapter IV.
High Courts possess general trial powers and specialized enforcement authority for human rights breaches.
4
Define the judicial mechanism for upholding constitutional supremacy.
Judicial review is the power to nullify executive actions or statutory laws that breach constitutional standards.
Section 1(3) and Section 6 of the 1999 Constitution empower superior courts to declare inconsistent legislative or executive acts unconstitutional and void.

Key Concept

Hierarchy of Nigerian Courts, Specific Jurisdictions, and Judicial Review
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Topics

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

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