THE SUPREME COURT.
We always hear of the presidency and the national assembly, these two arms of our federal government we know all too well, but the supreme court has not been in the news and is scrouded with a certain level of secreacy. This write up aims to enlighten you on somethings you may not know of our third arm of government.

THE SUPREME COURT COMPLEX.
The supreme court of nigeria is located in the federal capital territory. Specifically in an area called the three arm zone. That area contains the presidential villa to the right, the national assembly at the center and the supreme court to the left. The three arm zone is the home of the nigerian government. The complex contains the offices of the justices and their personal staff, the clerk of the court,registra and other senoir management and policy officials. It also has one of the most elaborate law libraries in the country. At the center of the comples is the great hall where the justices sit in judgement. More will be said about the great hall subsequently.

THE JUSTICES.
The supreme court is currently made up of 15 justices nominated by the president and comfirmed by the senate. The justices are draw from every major region of the coutry to ensure fairness on the bench and they have a compulsory retirement age of 70. And they are:

1,hon justices aloma mariam muktar- chief justice.

2.justice mahmud mohammed-associate justice.

3.justice w.s nkanu onnoghen- associate justice.

4.justice ibrahim tanko muhammad-associate justice.

5.justice chukwuma eneh- associate justice.

6.justice muntaka conmassie- associate justice.

7.justice john a. Fabiyi- associate justice.

8.justice bode rhodes viviour- associate justice

9.justice nwali slybester ngwuta- associate justice.

10.justice mary ukaego peter odili- associate justice.

11.justice olukayo ariwoola -assocaite justice

12.justice clara bata ogunbiyi- associate justice.

13.justice musa dantijo muhammad- associate justice

14.justice stanley shenko alagoa- associate justice.

15.justice kudirat montonmori olatokunbo kekere-ekun- assocaite justice.

SALARIES AND ENTITLEMENTS.
As of the last federal salary review. The salaries of the justices of the supreme court is as follows:

chief justice: 3,363,972
associate justice: 2,477,110

they are also entitled to an official car, a residence in the federal capital, multiple personal/official allowances and police protection.

THE GREAT HALL.
Below is a picture of the great hall. Were the justices sit in judgement, each justice owns a chair in the hall, as they are alloted immediately they are appionted. The chief justices seats in the middle and is flanked by the most senoir associate justices, the younger justices seat futher to the left and right. It is the most powerfull courtroom in the territory of nigeria. The judges have the power to strike down any law made by the national assembly, if it does not comform with the constitution.

this is educating

POLITICAL NEUTRALITY.
it is prominent in the constitution that justices must remain political neutral. They must not mix publically with members of the national assembly or presidency, even if they have personal friends in either arm of the government, they must not let those personal friends influence their judgement on the bench. The following are the closest supreme court justices get to politics:

1. When they are nominated by the president and when they have to go before the senate for their comfirmation hearing.

2. When they attend the president's annual speech to the national assembly. Here they attend in their official robes of office, they are expected to clap only when the president arrives, departs or makes a comment bothering on national unity. Apart from that, they are strictly forbiden from appauling the president's political utterances or achievements.

3. And finally, when the chief justice has to swear in the new president. The chief justices must not get involved with the politics of the day, he/she must swear in only the person elected president or in line to the presidency. Immediately a president is impeached or dies, the chief justice shall ask no questions or protest but immediately swear in the vice president.

NOTE: apart from those who sit on the supreme court, state chief justice and selected federal court judges. no other judicial administrator in the land shall be reffered to as "JUSTICE", all others in the lower courts. Shall be reffered to as "JUDGE". The title "JUSTICE" is the exclusive preserve of the members of the supreme court bench, state chief judges and selected senoir federal court judges. But this law is'nt widly known and therefore has been abused.

Futher questions will be entertained.

enlightening...& nice!

Front page material. It is not only threads on 'how to' that should make there.

1) Is the judiciary arm the least powerful among the 3 arms of government?
2) The president is the Number 1 citizen in Nigeria, the V.P is the number 2, the senate president is the number 3! Then The Chief justice is the number what citizen in Nigeria?

thanks.
what level of education do one need to get to that position?

homesteady: 1) Is the judiciary arm the least powerful among the 3 arms of government?
2) The president is the Number 1 citizen in Nigeria, the V.P is the number 2, the senate president is the number 3! Then The Chief justice is the number what citizen in Nigeria?

1. YES and NO. the supreme court holds less power than the executive and legislature but they are the least accountable and exclusive. In the sense that they don't stand for elections or fear loosing their jobs because of decisions they make. There is a saying that "the constitution is what the supreme court justices say it is". They can strike down a law made by the national assembly and approved by the president if by their estimation, it is unconstitutional. Cases of electoral malpractises or stalemate in presidential elections mostly comes to them and they can sack the president and declare a rerun.

2. By protocol, the chief justice is the number 5th citizen in the country after the president,vice, senate pres and house speaker so must be recognised accordinly in all national functions. But in the line of sucession to the presidency, the chief justice is not listed. The chief justice can never assume the presidency. If by some amazin invent the president, his vice and all national assembly leaders die, cabinet ministers have more power over the presidency then the CJN.

Hope this helps.

Very enlightening I must confess.

Kingslaw: thanks.
what level of education do one need to get to that position?

to be appionted chief justice or justice of the supreme court, you must have practised law in nigeria for not less than 15 years.

I thank you all for your commendation.

EDUCATIVE.. INFORMATIVE!!

Does the supreme court of Nigeria and the CJN posseses commensurate power as their counterpart in advanced nation of the world or they are somehow limited due to Nigerian Political Factor ?



What Influence does the Supreme court have over the other Arms of Government (Executive and Legislative) in matter of governance other than ''swearing-in'' , ''clapping hands when president arrives to deliver speech'' and adjudicating matters as they are brought to them( Supreme Court) ........ ?



How does supreme court protect herself from other arms political,financial and social Influences ?

THE GREAT HALL is scary!...

i laugh at the political neutrality part. we all know thats a lie

Symphony007:

1. YES and NO. the supreme court holds less power than the executive and legislature but they are the least accountable and exclusive. In the sense that they don't stand for elections or fear loosing their jobs because of decisions they make. There is a saying that "the constitution is what the supreme court justices say it is". They can strike down a law made by the national assembly and approved by the president if by their estimation, it is unconstitutional. Cases of electoral malpractises or stalemate in presidential elections mostly comes to them and they can sack the president and declare a rerun.

2. By protocol, the chief justice is the number 5th citizen in the country after the president,vice, senate pres and house speaker so must be recognised accordinly in all national functions. But in the line of sucession to the presidency, the chief justice is not listed. The chief justice can never assume the presidency. If by some amazin invent the president, his vice and all national assembly leaders die, cabinet ministers have more power over the presidency then the CJN.

Hope this helps.

Yea! Thanks

A great insight into what one has not known and has been overlooking, highly enlightening and very educative. Good job.

donroxy: Does the supreme court of Nigeria and the CJN posseses commensurate power as their counterpart in advanced nation of the world or they are somehow limited due to Nigerian Political Factor ?



What Influence does the Supreme court have over the other Arms of Government (Executive and Legislative) in matter of governance other than ''swearing-in'' , ''clapping hands when president arrives to deliver speech'' and adjudicating matters as they are brought to them( Supreme Court) ........ ?



How does supreme court protect herself from other arms political,financial and social Influences ?

the powers of the supreme court as enshrined in the constitution are numerous and fairly in line with advanced nations but the nigerian supreme court has'nt always exercised their powers. Many reason can be atributed to it, the political factor of which is paramount. But also nigerians have'nt held them accountable by bringing before them pressing cases. Eg. When the president sent the military to quell the fuel subsidy protest in lagos. Lawyers or the attorney general of lagos could have dragged the federal government before the court and the president's action would have been ruled unconstitutional, and the soildeirs will be ordered out of lagos.

The supreme court is suppose to guard the constitutional against abuse by the executive and legislature. They interprete the constitution. They can strike down laws made by the assembly and approved by the president. They can determine when the presidency is vacant or when a president's term ends, also they can define the line of secession to the presidency, amongs other powers.

The three arms of government are independent of each other and the constitution is designed in a way that no arm can bully or lord over the other. But financially the court is at the mercy of the executive(who prepares the budget) and the legislature(who approves the budget), that is why there is a going rift in the government today about funding of the judiciary.

Baba nla frontpage material. Any if the judiciary can be free of corrupt lawyers and judges , i belive that will lead the country to a greater heights than present

mars123: THE GREAT HALL is scary!...

extreamly!! Just imagine you're a lawyer arguing a case before those judges. Before you say one word, they have countered you. If you are'nt prepared. They will use you to wipe the floor.

There are some lawyers who specialize in teaching other lawyers how to go before the supreme court. Former clerks or secretaries in the court are hot cakes for employment in big law firms.

DP¿

@OP Good one but if any one reads your post, s/he could think the SUPREME COURT is the 3rd arm of government instead of the JUDICIARY. Perhaps, you could give some info about the Judiciary then focus on how the supreme court fits into the whole stuff. That way, there's a good understanding of the arm

Kingslaw: thanks.
what level of education do one need to get to that position?

Naija man, don see million naira salaray na how to get there
e dey look for now

Mustay: @OP Good one but if any one reads your post, s/he could think the SUPREME COURT is the 3rd arm of government instead of the JUDICIARY. Perhaps, you could give some info about the Judiciary then focus on how the supreme court fits into the whole stuff. That way, there's a good understanding of the arm

i understand....but i wrote this in the context of the federal government. As in, the national assembly, presidency and supreme court. If i went into the context of legislature, executive and judiciary i'll have to go into states too. My focus is primarly on the supreme court and it's power in the country. I hope no one mix things up.

Symphony007:

the powers of the supreme court as enshrined in the constitution are numerous and fairly in line with advanced nations but the nigerian supreme court has'nt always exercised their powers. Many reason can be atributed to it, the political factor of which is paramount. But also nigerians have'nt held them accountable by bringing before them pressing cases. Eg. When the president sent the military to quell the fuel subsidy protest in lagos. Lawyers or the attorney general of lagos could have dragged the federal government before the court and the president's action would have been ruled unconstitutional, and the soildeirs will be ordered out of lagos.

The supreme court is suppose to guard the constitutional against abuse by the executive and legislature. They interprete the constitution. They can strike down laws made by the assembly and approved by the president. They can determine when the presidency is vacant or when a president's term ends, also they can define the line of secession to the presidency, amongs other powers.

The three arms of government are independent of each other and the constitution is designed in a way that no arm can bully or lord over the other. But financially the court is at the mercy of the executive(who prepares the budget) and the legislature(who approves the budget), that is why there is a going rift in the government today about funding of the judiciary.

Few weeks ago Justice Aloma voiced-out reduction in Allocation to the Judiciary retrogresively since few years back, If such is intentionally done by the executive, what Influence or protection does the Supreme Court/Judiciary have over such occurence or the Righteous of the executive must prevails in dolling-out unlike the Legislature who can issue threat of Impeachment,threat to disapprove of president favorite for Minister etc Does Supreme Court/Judiciary has a kinda threat/Influences against the other Arms in an event of deliberate surcharge



2. In the event of president deploying Military to Lagos, does the supreme court/Judiciary has legal backing to condemned unconstitutional moves outrightly (like Legislatures) or wait for person(s) to sue to them before proclaiming what is right or wrong !!!


3. Can issues be directly sued to Supreme Court without passing through the lower court, if there are , what issues qualify for such ?


4. How does supreme court/Judiciary ensures her proclamation is enforced and If not enforced, does the court has an Alternative Influencing course to ensure her will is implemented ?


Thank you !!

DP.

Symphony007: i understand....but i wrote this in the context of the federal government. As in, the national assembly, presidency and supreme court. If i went into the context of legislature, executive and judiciary i'll have to go into states too. My focus is primarly on the supreme court and it's power in the country. I hope no one mix things up.

I think under the context of Law, there is nothing like presidency,National Assembly and Supreme-Court as three Arms as enshrined in your submission (Op) cuz such could make us to vest power that belongs to the Judiciary on Supreme-Court which is just an Arm of Judiciary not an Arm of Government ?


It should be Noted that CJN speaking as Chairman of NJC is different from speaking as CJN,Supreme Court .... ?


I'm not sure if I'm right or wrong ....kindly shed more light on the above and let it serve as a question ?

Thank you

Good thread.

I have a major concern though, specifically with regard to the "political neutrality" part. How can we be convinced that judges in Nigeria are really neutral when a senior judge (specifically "Justice" Mary Odili) used her judicial influence to obtain a perpetual injunction in favour of her husband (former Rivers state governor Peter Odili) permanently shielding him from any sort of arrest, prosecution or even investigation? Is there a legal basis for this?

I really need answers.

What's up with the colonial dressing that doesn't even suit our hot environment, can't they be a little bit more innovative and get a better attire?