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10 Functions of the Supreme Court in Nigeria

Functions of the Supreme Court in Nigeria – As the name goes, the Supreme Court is that which is above other Nigerian courts. No other court is higher than it is. It stands as the father of the remaining courts.

As the court that is most elevated in the country, we want to look at its ten functions. The functions we want to look at are:


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  • Last resort court
  • Dispute settling courtFunctions of the Supreme Court
  • The court that interprets the constitution and our laws
  • Advisory court
  • Constitution guardian court
  • Individual protection court
  • Revisory jurisdiction functionInformation Guide Nigeria
  • Judicial review court
  • Appellate jurisdiction function
  • Administrative function

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Nigeria Supreme Court Functions

  1. Last Resort Court

People who go to court are those who are grieved. If you are grieved and you go to the customary court, you can go to the high court when you are not satisfied with the customary court judgment.

Nevertheless, the most noteworthy you can go is to the Supreme Court. At the end of the day, the Supreme Court is the last action court. Its judgment is conclusive. Whatever the Supreme Court Justice says is unquestionable. You just have to accept it as it is said. You have no power to question it. Thus, most people go to the Supreme Court after all other court trials have failed.

  1. Dispute Settling Court

One other function of the Supreme Court is dispute settling. If a state in Nigeria quarrels with another state, they do not go to the customary court for settlement. They head straight to the Supreme Court. It is the Chief Justice and other different Justices working with him that is powered to try their case. Whatever they are told there is final.MTN WiFi Price in Nigeria and where to buy

In addition, if the Federal Government has a case with any state in Nigeria, the Supreme Court will settle both of them. Thus, the Supreme Court performs the function of dispute settling, especially among the higher-level people.

  1. The Court that Interprets the Constitution and or Laws

One vital function that the Supreme Court performs is to interpret the constitution and our laws, which govern the nation. The High Court does not have the power to interpret the constitution. Whenever the High Court encounters any judgment that involves the understanding of the constitution, it requests the Supreme Court to interpret that particular section of the Nigerian constitution.

  1. Advisory Function

The Supreme Court advises the government. It also advises the President. Any inquiry regarding the law is taken to the Supreme Court for an answer. The Supreme Court advises on all matters that pertain to the public interest.

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  1. Constitution Guardian

In Nigeria, the Supreme Court is the guardian of the constitution. It protects the constitution against any form of violation.MTN Cheapest Data Plan 2022 See Latest Codes and How to Subscribe

  1. Individual Protection

Every citizen of Nigeria has the option to go to the Supreme Court for legal remedy in case of fundamental human rights infringement. This is so because the Supreme Court, being the most elevated Nigerian legal authority, is empowered to protect individual fundamental rights from all forms of infringement.

For this reason, an individual also has the legal power to approach the Supreme Court when he feels that his right is being violated. For example, if a person is illegally detained for no justifiable reason, he has the option to approach the Supreme Court for redress. The Supreme Court also has the power to give an order against such illegal detention. It does not matter whether the detention is by the government or by a private party.

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  1. Revisory Jurisdiction

Revisory jurisdiction of the Supreme Court means that it has the power to revise any judgment of the lower courts. It equally means that every order that the Supreme Court gives is binding on the judiciary system as a whole but itself. If any of the lower courts make a judgment, the Supreme Court has the legal power to survey it. If the Supreme Court finds that the judgment did not follow due process, it has the power to revise it. Being the highest court, whatever it says is final in this case.Npower Recruitment

  1. Judicial Review

The Supreme Court performs the function of judicial review. In this function, it can judge every action that the legislature takes. Assuming that, the Supreme Court views such activity as unlawful, it can pronounce it invalid without questioning.

The Supreme Court also performs this role against the executive. The President of the country does not have the power to take any action that is not consistent with the Nigerian constitution. If he does, the Supreme Court can pronounce that the action is cancelled.JAMB Form

The same thing goes for the administrative arm of the government. If it does what is not constitutional, the Supreme Court has the power to pronounce it invalid.

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  1. Appellate Jurisdiction Function

As the apex court, the Supreme Court is the last authority for all appeals. Regardless of whether the case is criminal, it can be taken to the Supreme Court for the last examination. Common cases, too, can be taken to the Supreme Court for a final judgment.JAMB Result

Any case that the High Court tries to the dissatisfaction of any of the parties involved can be taken to the Supreme Court for re-examination. The Supreme Court, being the apex authority, reserves the right to revise the case or uphold the ruling of the High Court. An individual can file all forms of appeals in the Supreme Court. Anybody in Nigeria can file any form of appeal in the Nigerian Supreme Court.

  1. Administrative Function

The Supreme Court of Nigeria’s functions goes beyond deciding cases. It administers the court framework in Nigeria as a whole. Thus, it ensures that all courts in Nigeria operate efficiently and fairly at all times.

Thus, the Supreme Court prepares the legal spending plan, which is included in the Federal Government financial plan during the budget proposal to the law-making body. In judicial proceedings, the Supreme Court regulates all pleading procedures in its administrative function. It also manages security facilities. Staffing standards of the court system equally lie on the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court monitors the implementation of all standards that it sets.

In its administrative function, the court helps in planning for Nigerian courts’ future. It takes the initiative of how the courts are to run. It undertakes the short and long-term plans of the complete judicial system in Nigeria.

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Conclusion

The Nigerian Supreme Court is the apex court in Nigeria. Being the highest court in Nigeria, it is the final bus stop for all cases involving any party in Nigeria.WAEC Result

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Isaiah Atawheke

Isaiah is a Content Developer at InfoGuideNIgeria.com. InfoGuide Nigeria is a team of Resource Persons and Consultants led by Ifiokobong Ibanga. Page maintained by Ifiokobong Ibanga. If you need a personal assistance on this topic, kindly contact us.

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