Which of the following is the highest and final court of appeal in Nigeria?

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks which court is the highest and final court of appeal in Nigeria. That means the court whose decisions cannot be appealed any further.

Step 2: Concept Nigeria's court system is arranged in a hierarchy. Section 230 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) establishes the Supreme Court of Nigeria as the apex court.

• Supreme Court: the highest court, hearing final appeals from the Court of Appeal. It also has original jurisdiction in disputes between the Federation and a State, or between States.
• Court of Appeal: sits below the Supreme Court and hears appeals from the Federal High Court, State High Courts, and similar courts.
• High Courts: have general jurisdiction at the state and federal level.
• Magistrate/District Courts, Sharia Courts of Appeal, Customary Courts: lower courts.

Step 3: Eliminate the options

• A. Federal court of appeal: this is an appellate court, but not the final one. Its decisions can be appealed to the Supreme Court.
• B. Judicial Privy Council: this was the final court of appeal for Nigeria during the colonial period and shortly after independence. It was abolished as Nigeria's final court in 1963 when the country became a republic, and the Supreme Court took over.
• C. Magistrate court: a lower court, so it is not an appellate court of last resort.
• D. Sharia court: a lower-level court dealing with Islamic personal law matters. Even the Sharia Court of Appeal can have its decisions taken to the Supreme Court on constitutional questions.
• E. Supreme court: the highest and final court of appeal in Nigeria.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is E. Supreme Court.

Tip: Remember "Supreme = Summit." The Supreme Court is at the top of the pyramid. Also note that the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council was the final court of appeal before 1963, and this is a common distractor in exam questions.