history of the federal high court of nigeria of the federal high court of nigeria. ... federal high...

As At August 2012

1973 - 2012

HISTORY OF THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT OF NIGERIA

The Federal Revenue Court (as Federal High Court was then called) was established by the Federal Revenue Act 1973 (1973 No.13). The Court was renamed the “Federal High Court” by Section 228 (1) and 230 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1979.

Although the need was noted during the constitutional Conference leading to Independence, to establish a High Court for the determination of causes and matters within the Exclusive Legislative list, as is the customary in countries with the Federal System of Government, no step was however taken in that regard until the promulgation of the Federal Revenue Court Decree in 1973.

The Court as Federal Revenue Court (began with a President as the head of the court was then called) and four judges.

From its inception, controversies over its jurisdiction dogged every step of the Court. However, such controversies were finally settled with the enactment of Section 230(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1979.Section 231 of the 1979 Constitution was replicated in the Federal High Court decree (Amendment) 1991(60) which amended Section 7 of the Federal High Court Act (1973); and conferred exclusive jurisdiction on the court in relation to the subject matters covered by section 7 of that Act, as amended.

Section 7 of the Federal High Court (Amendmentment) 1991 has now being re-enacted Civil Causes and Matters as section 251(1) (a) to (s) and of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended. Its jurisdiction in criminal matters are as provided in Section 251 (2) and (3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended and in such criminal matters as the National Assembly may by Act, confers jurisdiction on it. The Federal High Court has concurrent jurisdiction with the High Court of the FCT and State High Court in respect of fundamental Rights matters by virtue of Section 46(1) of the Constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria, 1999.

To facilitate the expeditious determination of Civil Causes and Matters before the Court, the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2000 was enacted by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court pursuant to Section 254 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended. The new Rules have several innovative provisions which cover all aspects of practice and procedure before the Court and have a (Fundamental objective) for a (just and expeditious disposition of cases) in view. In 2011, a new Admiralty Procedure Rules were made by the Chief Judge in order to aid a more expeditious hearing of maritime claims in which the Federal High Court has exclusive jurisdiction and which claims as with intellectual property rights, trade marks, patents and designs sometimes have international dimension which may involve foreign companies and interests.

The Federal High Court as a premier Court of first instance has recorded impressive growth since its inception in 1973 and has become, unarguably an important pillar amongst the Courts in the Federal Judiciary of Nigeria. From the pioneering Five Judges, the Court now has Six-Nine (69) Judges. The Court has also grown structurally in terms of opening new Divisions in almost all the States of the Federation with Lagos state with two divisions having regard to the volume of cases filed there as the (Commercial Capital) of Nigeria. The Court established Three Judicial Divisions within Two Years of its creation. Now, the Court has thirty-Six Judicial Divisions, spread across in thirty-six States of the country.

The Federal High Court has recorded impressive growth since its inception in 1973. From the pioneering Five Judges, the Court now has Six-two Judges. The Court has also grown structurally. The Court established Three Judicial Divisions within Two Years of its creation. Now, the Court has thirty-Six Judicial Divisions, spread across the country.

The Court has put up its own Building in the following twenty-four Divisions and in 2009, moved to its Headquarters in Abuja.

Division with Buildings These are the Following Divisions with the court with Building:

1. Federal High Court ABUJA(HEAD QUARTER)

2. Federal High Court ABAKALIKI

3. Federal High Court ABEOKUTA

4. Federal High Court AKURE

5. Federal High Court BENIN

6. Federal High Court CALABAR

7. Federal High Court ENUGU

8. Federal High Court IBADAN

9. Federal High Court ILORIN

10. Federal High Court JOS

11. Federal High Court KADUNA

12. Federal High Court KANO

13. Federal High Court KATSINA

14. Federal High Court LAFIA

15. Federal High Court MAIDUGURI

16. Federal High Court MINNA

17. Federal High Court OSHOGBO

18. Federal High Court OWERRI

19. Federal High Court PORT-HARCOURT

20. Federal High Court SOKOTO

21. Federal High Court TARABA

22. Federal High Court UMUAHIA

23. Federal High Court UYO

24. Federal High Court YOLA

It is the tradition of the Court to determine all causes and matters filed before the Court expeditiously and thoroughly, as most commercial and financial matters in which it has the jurisdiction inherently require.

FEDERAL HIGH COURT (JUDICIAL DIVISIONS)

NOTICE (S.L.4 OF 1994)

JUDICIAL DIVISIONS STATE HEADQUARTERS PLACE OF SESSION

1. Abuja Judicial Division F.C.T Abuja

2. Abakiliki Judicial Division Ebonyi Abakiliki

3. Abeokuta Judicial Division Ogun Abeokuta Idiroko

4. Ado-Ekiti Judicial Division Ekiti Ado-Ekiti

5. Akure Judicial Division Ondo Akure

6. Akwa Judicial Division Anambra Akwa

7. Asaba Judicial Division Delta Asaba Warri

8. Bauchi Judicial Division Bauchi Bauchi

9. Benin Judicial Division Edo Benin

10. Calabar Judicial Division Cross River Calabar

11. Damaturu Judicial Division Yobe Damaturu

12. Dutse Judicial Division Jigawa Dutse

13. Enugu Judicial Division Enugu Enugu

14. Gasau Judicial Division Zamfara Gasau

15. Gombe Judicial Division Gombe Gombe

16. Ibadan Judicial Division

Oyo Ibadan

17. Ikeja Judicial Division Lagos Ikeja

18. Ilorin Judicial Division Kwara Ilorin

19. Jos Judicial Division Plateau Jos

20. Kaduna Judicial Division Kaduna Kaduna

21. Kano Judicial Division Kano Kano

22. Katsina Judicial Division Katsina Katsina

23. Lagos Judicial Division Lagos Lagos

24. Lafia Judicial Division Nasarawa Lafia

25. Maiduguri Judicial Division Borno Maiduguri

26. Markudi Judicial Division Benue Markudi

27. Minna Judicial Division Niger Minna -------------

28. Oshogbo Judicial Division Osun Osogbo

29. Owerri Judicial Division Imo Owerri

30. Port-Harcourt Judicial

Division

Rivers Port-Harcourt --------------

31. Sokoto Judicial Division Sokoto & Kebbi Sokoto Birni Kebbi

32. Umuhahia Judicial Division Abia Umuahia --------------

33. Uyo Judicial Division Akwa-Ibom Uyo

34. Yenegoa Judicial Division Bayelsa Yenegoa

35. Yola Judicial Division Adamawa &

Taraba

Yola Jalingo

CURRENT FEDERAL HIGH COURT JUDGES

FEDERAL HIGH COURT JUDGES

1. HON. JUSTICE I. N. AUTA, OFR (CHIEF JUDGE)

2. HON. JUSTICE A. A. KAFARATI

3. HON. JUSTICE O.J OKEKE

4. HON. JUSTICE S. YAHAYA

5. HON. JUSTICE A. BELLO

6. HON. JUSTICE P.F. OLAYIWOLA

7. HON. JUSTICE A. A. HOBON

8. HON. JUSTICE J.T. TSOHO

9. HON. JUSTICE S.J ADAH

10. HON. JUSTICE G.K. OLOTU

11. HON. JUSTICE J.E. SHAKARHO

12. HON. JUSTICE L. AKANBI

13. HON. JUSTICE C.M.A OLATOREGUN-ISHOLA

14. HON. JUSTICE B.F.M NYAKO

15. HON. JUSTICE M. LIMAN

16. HON. JUSTICE S. YAHUZA

17. HON. JUSTICE C.E ARCHIBONG

18. HON. JUSTICE A.I CHIKERE

19. HON. JUSTICE M. L SHUAIBU

20. HON. JUSTICE S. SAIDU

21. HON. JUSTICE A.O. FAJI

22. HON. JUSTICE G.O. KOLAWOLE

23. HON. JUSTICE B.B. ALIYU

24. HON. JUSTICE B.I. MOLOKWU

25. HON. JUSTICE A.F.A. ADEMOLA

26. HON. JUSTICE M. I. AWOKULEHIN

27. HON. JUSTICE R. N.OFILI-AJUMOGOBIA

28. HON. JUSTICE A.L. ALLAGOA

29. HON. JUSTICE I.N. BUBA

30. HON. JUSTICE A.O. OBASEKI ADEJUMO

31. HON. JUSTICE B.O. KUEWUNMI

32. HON. JUSTICE M.G. UMAR

33. HON. JUSTICE A.R. MOHAMMED

34. HON. JUSTICE T. ABUBAKAR

35. HON. JUSTICE R.M. AIKAWA

36. HON. JUSTICE P.I. AJOKU

37. HON. JUSTICE S.M. SHUAIBU 38. HON. JUSTICE A.A. OKEKE 39. HON. JUSTICE Z.B. ABUBAKAR 40. HON. JUSTICE I.M. SANI 41. HON. JUSTICE S.E. CHUKWU 42. HON. JUSTICE I.E EKWO 43. HON. JUSTICE M.B. IDRIS

P/S: NOTE THAT THERE IS NO POSTING TO YOBE, CASES PENDING IN YOBE WILL CONTINUE IN MAIDUGURI

44. HON. JUSTICE M.T. SALIHU

45. HON. JUSTICE M.A. ONYETENU

46. HON. JUSTICE O.E.ABANG

47. HON. JUSTICE D.V. AGISHI

48. HON. JUSTICE M. S. ABUBAKAR

49. HON. JUSTICE I.B.GAFAI

50. HON. JUSTICE F.A.OLUBANJO

51. HON.JUSTICE M.N.YUNUSA

52. HON. JUSTICE I.L. OJUKWU

53. HON. JUSTICE B.O. QUADRI

54. HON. JUSTICE B.G. ASHIGAR

55. HON. JUSTICE E.A.OBILE

56. HON. JUSTICE C. J. ANEKE

57. HON. JUSTICE D.U. OKOROWO

58. HON. JUSTICE AYUA PHEOBE MSUEN

59. HON. JUSTICE N. AYO-EMMANUEL

60. HON. JUSTICE SULEIMAN ALHAJI ALIYU

61. HON. JUSTICE MUHAMMED LAWAL ABUBAKAR

62. HON. JUSTICE F. O. GIWA-OGUNBANJO

63. HON. JUSTICE MUSA HARUNA KURYA

64. HON. JUSTICE EVELYN NMASINULO ANYADIKE

65. HON. JUSTICE UCHE NMA AGOMOH

66. HON. JUSTICE OLUREMI OMOWUNMI OGUNTOYINBO

67. HON. JUSTICE NGANJIWA HYELADZIRA AJIYA

68. HON. JUSTICE CHINDA RUHUOMA SAM-WOBO ADELE

69. HON. JUSTICE FATUN ODOHI RIMAN

PAST HEADS OF THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT

1. Honourable Justice S.O.Lambo

(President Of Federal Revenue Court)

1/11/73 – 1975.

2. Honourable Justice J. O. Phil-Ebosie

(President Of Federal Revenue Court)

1/2/76 - 31/12/76

3. Honourable Justice F.O.Anyaegbunam,

CFR (President Of Federal Revenue Court)

1/11/77 - 1/10/79 and (Chief Judge Of Federal High Court)

1/10/79 - 22/9/87

4. Honourable Justice M.B.Belgore

(Chief Judge Of Federal High Court)

22/9/87 - 31/8/01

5. Honourable Justice R.N.Ukeje,OFR


31/08/01 - 05/01/08

CURRENT CHIEF JUDGE

6. Honourable Justice Abdullahi Mustapha,OFR,FCI,ARB.


05/01/08 - 04/09/09

7. Honourable Justice D.D.Abutu,OFR,FCI Arb.


04/09/09 - 15/03/11

HONOURABLE JUSTICE IBRAHIM N.AUTA.OFR,FCI ARB.

PAST JUDGES OF THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT (In Chronological order of cessation of tenure)

1. Honourable Justice S.O. Lambo

President of Federal Revenue Court

1/11/73 – 1975

Died 9/7/2000

2. Honourable Justice A.A. Adediran

Appointed Judge of Federal Revenue Court on 1/8/73

Voluntary retirement on 1/3/75

Died on 1/5/2000

3. Honourable Justice M.M. Akanbi, CFR


Elevated to Federal Court of Appeal on 1/1/77

As Retired President, Court of Appeal.

4. Honourable Justice J.A. Phi-Ebosie

Appointed President, Federal Revenue Court on 1/2/76

Elevated to the Court of Appeal on 1/1/77.

5. Honourable Justice J.O. Omo-Eboh


Appointed Justice, Court of Appeal on 1/7/77.

6. Honourable Justice J. A. Fiberesima


Transferred to Rivers State Judiciary on 6/3/78

7. Honourable Justice A.G. Karibi-Whyte,CFR


Appointed Justice, Court of Appeal on 15/10/80.

Appointed Justice of Supreme Court.

8. Honourable Justice F.O.Kachikwu

Appointed Judge of Federal High Court on 11/11/77

Retired on 4/5/84

9. Honourable Justice H. Osakwe


Died on duty on 6/8/84.

10. Honourable Justice H. Okwuosa


Retired on 31/5/85

11. Honourable Justice M.D.Saleh


Appointed Chief Judge, High Court of Abuja.

12. Honourable Justice G.I.Okoro-Idogwu


Retired on 23/4/86.

13. Honourable Justice P.C.Akpamgbo


Statutory retirement on 18/5/86

Died 14/10/1997.

14. Honourable Justice Ekukinam Bassey


Died on duty on 26/6/86

15. Honourable Justice F.O. Anyaegbunam, CFR


Appointed Chief Judge, Federal High Court on 1/10/77


Died 10/2/1999.

16. Honourable Justice J.O.Ayinde



Died 30/7/2000.

17. Honourable Justice S.O. Okuribido



18. Honourable Justice S.A. Sowemimo


Statutory retirement on 6/8/90.

19. Honourable Justice S.A. Tofowomo



Died 22/1/2001.

20. Honourable Justice B.A. Ba’Aba


Appointed Chief Judge of Yobe State in 1991

Appointed Justice, Court of Appeal, 1999.

21. Honourable Justice R.D. Muhammed

Appointed Justice of Federal High Court on 5/11/84

Appointed Justice, Court of Appeal, 1991.

22. Honourable Justice M.Ofili



23. Honourable Justice A.A.Daudu



24. Honourable Justice S.O. Ojutalayo



25. Honourable Justice V.O.Eigbedion



Died on 11/8/97.

26. Honourable Justice M.Kolo


Retired 0n 22/4/98

27. Honourable Justice G.C.Ezekwe


Retired 0n 4/5/99

Died on 11/4/2000.

28. Honourable Justice T.A. Odunowo



29. Honourable Justice M.O.Bioshogun



Died on 5/8/2001.

30. Honourable Justice D.K.J. Lawson



31. Honourable Justice M.B.Belgore,


Chief Judge of Federal High Court 22/9/87

Voluntary Retirement on 31/7/2001.

32. Honourable Justice R.A.Kasim



33. Honourable Justice G.A.A.T.Jinadu



34. Honourable Justice A.A.Jega


Appointed Justice, Court of Appeal 23/09/02.

35. Honourable Justice J.A.Marden


Died on duty 30/01/02.

36. Honourable Justice G.C.Nwogwugwu


Retired 0n 02/11/01.

37. Honourable Justice D.Adeniji


Appointed Justice, Court of Appeal 23/09/02.

38. Honourable Justice E.O.Sanyaolu



39. Honourable Justice O.Aina



40. Honourable Justice S.W.Egbo Egbo


Retired on January 2004.

41. Honourable Justice C.P.N. Senlong


Retired 2004.

42. Honourable Justice A.A.B Gumel


Appointed Judge of Court of Appeal 08/06/06

43. Honourable Justice M.A. Edet


Retired on 07th April, 2007.

44. Honourable Justice R.O. Olomojobi


Retired on 18th July, 2007.

45. Honourable Justice R.O.Nwodo


Elevated to Court of Appeal December 2007

46. Honourable Justice R.N.Ukeje OFR


Retired on 5th January, 2008.

47. Honourable Justice I.I.Ejiofor


Died on 04th August, 2008.

48. Honourable Justice Chudi Nwokorie

From 22nd January 2004 – 23rd February 2009.

49. Honourable Justice Abdullahi Mustapha OFR,FCI,Arb.


Retired on 4th September, 2009.

50. Honourable Justice Chukwura Nnamani


Died on 14th February, 2010.

51. Honourable Justice A.O. Ajakaiye


Retired on 1st August, 2010.

52. Honourable Justice H.T.Soba


Retired on 25th November, 2010.

53. Honourable Justice D.D.Abutu, FCI,Arb.


Retired on 15th March, 2011.

54. Honourable Justice G.C.Okeke


Retired on 7th July, 2012.

PAST CHIEF REGISTRARS

1. Mr.S.O Sowemimo (06/08/73- 31/01/74)

2. Mr.T.A.Ademakinwa (01/05/77- 31/05/77)

3. Mr.V.D.Eigbedion (02/07/77- 04/04/82)

4. Mr.M.Ofili (01/11/82- 29/10/86)

5. Mrs.R.O.Olomojobi (13/07/88- 30/10/91)

6. Honourable Justice. A.O. Ajakaiye (01/01/93 - 11/11/98)

7. Honourable Justice C.M.A. Olatoregun-Isola (12/11/98 - 02/08/2000)

8. Honourable Justice S.Saidu (01/03/01 - 12/09/02)

9. Honourable Justice A.A.Okeke (12/09/02 - 03/01/08)

10. Honourable Justice. N. Ayo-Emmanuel (03/01/08 - 28/05/12)

CURRENT CHIEF REGISTRAR

Mrs.R.Oghoghorie (Chief Registrar) (28/05/12- Date)

DEPUTY CHIEF REGISTRARS

1. Mr.Bello.H.Okandeji (Deputy Chief Registrar)

2. Mr.Emmanuel.Gakko (Deputy Chief Registrar)

3. Mrs.Mba N.A.Omotosho (Deputy Chief Registrar)

4. Mr.Simon Amobeda (Deputy Chief Registrar)

5. Miss.C.T.Clement Ende (Deputy Chief Registrar)

6. Mrs.May U.Esealuka (Deputy Chief Registrar)

7. Mr.Abdulfatah A.Tahir (Deputy Chief Registrar)

HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS

1. Mr.Ogidi,M.Toba (Director, Library & Info.Services)

2. Mr.Ojiyi,Jude.O (Deputy Director, Account)

ADDRESSES OF FEDERAL HIGH COURT JUDICIAL DIVISIONS

1. HEADQUARTERS: ABUJA Shehu Shagari Way, Central District Abuja. 2. ABAKALIKI C/o High Court of Justice, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State Tel: 043-220173 3. ABEOKUTA IBB, Boulevard, Kobape Road, Adjacent Federal Secretariat, Oke-Mosan, P.M.B. 2118, Abeokuta Tel: 039-243542

4. ADO-EKITI Iyin Road, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

5. AWKA Customary Court of Appeal Complex, Court Road, Akwa, Anambra State. Tel. 07060539555; 08074828747

6. AKURE Quarter 33,Bode George Road, Alagbaka G.R.A. P.M.B 641, Akure Tel: 039-243542; 034-231645 7. ASABA Plot 97, Phase 111, High Court Road, P.M.B. 91026, Asaba, Delta. Tel: 08023752090 8. BAUCHI No. 4 Club Close, Off Dalhatu Bafarawa Street, GRA Bauchi. Bauchi State.

9. BENIN 1, Iwogban Road Off Benin-Auchi Road, Ikpoba Hill, P.M.B. 1190, Benin City. Tel: 052-249672 10. CALABAR Muritala Muhammed High Way, Calabar C/River State, P.M.B. 1225, Calabar Tel: 087-230220 11. DAMATURU Adjacent to Sharia Court of appeal Complex, Maiduguri Road, Damaturu, Yobe State. Tel.08038058989 12. DUTSE Ali Sa’ad Drive, Dutse, Jigawa State. Tel:080-38058989 13. ENUGU 7th independence Layout, P.M.B. 01018, Enugu Tel: 042-250596

14. GOMBE No.1, Bauchi Road, P.M.B. 0177, Gombe. Tel. 08088743246 15. GUSAU General Sani Abacha Way, Opposite Govt. House, Gusau,Zamfara State. Tel: 08033710413 16. IBADAN New Adeoyo Hospital Road, Off Ring Road, P.M.B 5356, Ibadan Tel: 02-314162 17. IKEJA

Alhaji Ashabi cole Street,opposite Tisco plaza Alausa,Ikeja, Lagos State. Tel: 08022249462 18. ILORIN 10, Ahmadu Bello Way, P.M.B 1467 Ilorin Tel: 031-221797

19. JOS 21, Club Road, Near Court of Appeal/CBN, P.M.B 2177, Jos Tel: 073-453845 20. KADUNA A5, Yakubu Gowon Way, P.M.B 2393, Kaduna, Tel: 062-210194 21. KANO New Court Road, Gyadi- Gyadi, P.M.B. 3437, Kano. Tel: 064-667823 22. KATSINA

Mani Road Opp.New Stadium Katsina, P.M.B. 2170, Katsina State. Tel: 065-433726 23. LAFIA Shendam Road,Lafia, Nasarawa State. 24. LAGOS 24, Oyinkan Abayomi Drive,Ikoyi P.M.B 40012, Falomo Tel: 01-2691439

25. LOKOJA Lugard Road,Opposite Police Headquarters, P.M.B 1152, Lokoja, Kogi State. 26. MAIDUGURI 3, Toro Road,Off Shehu Laminu Way, Old GRA, P.M.B 1027, Maiduguri Tel: 076-236321, 235046. 27. MAKURDI Off Ahmadu Bello Way,Old G.R.A. Makurdi, Benue State Tel: 044-534125, 534124 28. MINNA No. 2 Ibrahim Babangida Way, Minna Niger State. Tel:066-224898 29. OSHOGBO

Gbongan-Oshogbo Road, Abere,P.M.B. 4464, Oshogbo, Ogun State. Tel: 035-242587 30. OWERRI New Owerri Layout, Port Harcourt Road, Owerri. Tel: 083-230680.

31. PORT HARCOURT Station Okrika Road, P.M.B 5273, Port-Harcourt . Tel: 084-335777 32. SOKOTO Gwandu Road, P.M.B 02265, Sokoto Tel: 060-232803 33. UMUAHIA High Court of Abia State, No. 13b, Okpara Avenue, P.M.B. 7236, Umuahia Tel: 088-220391. 34. UYO

Udo-Udoma Avenue, Opposite Ibom Tropicana Ent.Center,Uyo.Akwa-Ibom State

Tel: 085-201685 35. YENEGOA Captain Amangala Road, Yenegoa, Bayelsa State Tel: 089-490084

36. YOLA

9A, Kashim Ibrahim Road, P.M.B. 2120, Jimeta, Yola Tel: 075-624344.

history of the federal high court of nigeria of the federal high court of nigeria. ... federal high...

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