Before Nigeria became a republic, the highest body charged with the administration of justice was the

Analyze the question: It asks about the highest judicial body in Nigeria before it became a republic (before 1963). At that time Nigeria was still a dominion under the British Crown.

Concept: Under the colonial period and the 1960 Independence Constitution, the final court of appeal was in Britain: the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London. Nigeria's own Supreme Court existed, but it was not the final court. Appeals could go beyond it to the Privy Council.

When Nigeria became a republic in 1963, appeals to the Privy Council were abolished. The Supreme Court then became the highest court in the country.

Step by step:

1. Before 1963, Nigeria was under the British Crown (independent in 1960, but the Queen was still head of state).
2. The highest appellate body was the Privy Council in London.
3. Supreme Court: highest only after 1963, so not A.
4. Court of Appeal: created much later (1976), so not B.
5. High Court: a court of first instance and state-level appeals, so not D.
6. The Privy Council (listed here as "Privy Court") matches the question, so the answer is C.

Note on wording: The option says "Privy Court", but the correct name is "Privy Council" (the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council).

Exam tip: Remember the timeline: 1960 independence → Privy Council still final; 1963 republic → Supreme Court final; 1976 → Court of Appeal created. "Republic = removal of the Queen and the Privy Council."