Answer ... Supreme Court: Established under Section 230 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, the Supreme Court is composed of the chief justice of Nigeria and up to 21 justices appointed by the president on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC), subject to confirmation by the Senate. The Supreme Court entertains appeals from the Court of Appeal and may exercise original jurisdiction in specific circumstances as stipulated by the Supreme Court (Additional Original Jurisdiction) Act (Cap S 16, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004).
Court of Appeal: The Court of Appeal was established under Section 237 of the Constitution. It consists of the president of the Court of Appeal and 49 justices, of whom at least three must be learned in Islamic personal law and at least three must be learned in customary law. The justices of the Court of Appeal are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the NJC, subject to confirmation by the Senate. The Court of Appeal entertains appeals from the state high courts, the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, the Federal High Court, the National Industrial Court, the Tax Appeal Tribunal and so on.
Federal High Court: This court was established under Section 249 of the Constitution. It is headed by the chief judge of the Federal High Court and comprises any number of judges as allowed by an act of the National Assembly. However, it will be properly constituted if each sitting court consists of at least one judge of the court. The Federal High Court has a division in each of the 36 states in Nigeria. The Federal High Court has exclusive jurisdiction over matters expressly contained in Section 251 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
National Industrial Court: Established under Section 254(a)(i) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (Third Alteration) Act, the National Industrial Court consists of a president and at least 12 other judges, or such number as may be prescribed by an act of the National Assembly. The National Industrial Court has an exclusive jurisdiction over matters expressly contained in Section 254(c) of the Constitution.
High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja: This court was established under Section 255 of the Constitution. It is headed by a chief judge and consists of such other number of judges of the court as may be prescribed by an act of the National Assembly. By virtue of Section 257 of the Constitution, the jurisdiction of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is unlimited, but subject to the jurisdiction of the National Industrial Court and the Federal High Court.
High court of each state of the Federal Republic of Nigeria: Established under Section 270 of the Constitution, the high court of each state of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is headed by a chief judge and consists of such other number of judges of the court as may be prescribed by a law of the House Assembly. By virtue of Section 272 of the Constitution, the jurisdiction of the state high court is unlimited, but subject to the jurisdiction of the National Industrial Court and the Federal High Court.
Sharia Court of Appeal of the FCT, Abuja: Established under Section 260 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, this court consists of the Grand Kadi and such number of Kadis as may be prescribed by an act of the National Assembly. The court’s jurisdiction is contained in Section 262 of the Constitution.
Sharia courts of appeal of various states: These courts are established by Section 275 of the Constitution in every state that requires them. Each consists of the Grand Kadi and such number of Kadis as may be prescribed by the House of Assembly in each state.
Customary Court of Appeal of the FCT, Abuja: Established under Section 265 of the Constitution, this court is comprised of a president and such number of judges of the Customary Court of Appeal as may be prescribed by an act of the National Assembly
Magistrates’ or district courts: These are established under the respective laws of the Houses of Assembly of each state, which usually spell out the various magisterial districts (Southern Nigeria) or districts (Northern Nigeria) within the state. There is usually no restriction as to the number of magistrates.
Customary or area court: These courts are established by laws passed by the Houses of Assembly of the States of the Federation pursuant to power derived from Section 6(4)(a) of the 1999 Constitution. Customary or area courts are comprised of a chairman and such number of members as may be prescribed by the House of Assembly of each state.