About Us
History & Mandate of the Federal High Court
Federal High Court of Nigeria
The Federal High Court of Nigeria was established under Section 249 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). Originally known as the Federal Revenue Court, it was renamed in 1979 to expand its jurisdiction beyond revenue matters.
Our Vision
To remain in the vanguard of effective administration of Justice in Nigeria.
Our Mission
To uphold the Law, protect the rights and liberties of persons, ensure equitable access to Justice, and dispense Justice efficiently and transparently.
Core Values
Integrity – Unwavering ethical standards Transparency – Open and accountable proceedings Efficiency – Speedy and effective justice delivery
Our History
The Federal Revenue Court (as the Federal High Court was then called) was established by the Federal Revenue Act 1973 (1973 No. 13). The court was renamed the “Federal High Court” by section 228 (1) and 230 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1979.
Although the need was noted during the Constitutional Conference leading to Independence, to establish a High Court for the determination of causes and matters within the Exclusive Legislative List, as is the customary in countries with the Federal System of Government, no step was however taken in that regard until the promulgation of the Federal Revenue Court Decree in 1973.
The Court as Federal Revenue Court (began with a President as the head of the court was then called) and four judges.
The Federal High Court as a Premier Court of the first instance has recorded impressive growth since its inception in 1973 and has become unarguably an important pillar amongst the Courts in the Federal Judiciary of Nigeria.
From the pioneering Five Judges, the Court now has close to 100 Judges.
The Court has also grown structurally in terms of opening Divisions in all the States of the Federation.
The Court established Three Judicial Divisions within two years of its creation. Now, the Court has thirty-eight (38) Judicial Divisions, spread across the thirty-six (36) States of the Country. In 2009, the court moved its Headquarters to Abuja.
Jurisdiction
From inception, controversies over its jurisdiction dogged every step every step pf the Court. However, such controversies were finally settled with the enactment of Section 230(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1979. Section 231 of the 1979 Constitution was replicated in the Federal High Court decree (Amendment) 1991 (60), which amended Section 7 of the Federal High Court Act (1973); and conferred exclusive jurisdiction on the court in relation to the subject matters covered by Section 7 of the Act, as amended.
Section 7 of the Federal High Court (Amendment) 1991 has now being re-enacted Civil Causes and Matters as Section 251 (1) (a) to (s) and of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended. Its jurisdiction in criminal matters are as provided in Section 251 (2) and (3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended and in such criminal matters as the National Assembly ma by Act, confers jurisdiction on it. The Federal High Court has concurrent jurisdiction with the High Court of the FCT and State High Court in respect of fundamental Rights matters by virtue of Section 46 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.
To facilitate the expeditious determination of Civil Causes and Matters before the Court, the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2009 was enacted by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court pursuant to Section 254 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 199 as amended. The new Rules have several innovative provisions which cover all aspects of practice and procedure before the Court and have a (Fundamental objective) for a (just and expeditious disposition of cases) in view. In 2011, a new Admiralty Procedure Rules were made by the Chief Judge in other to aid a more expeditious hearing of maritime claims in which the Federal High Court has exclusive Jurisdiction and which claims as with intellectual property rights, trade marks, patents and designs sometimes have international dimension which may involve foreign companies and interests.
It is the tradition of the Court to determine all causes and matters filed before the Court expeditiously and thoroughly as most commercial and financial matters in which it has jurisdiction inherently require.
ORGANOGRAM
