About The Federal Capital Territory High Court

The High Court was established Pursuant to Decree No. 12 of 1984, and retained in S.255 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

JURISDICTION
The High Court is conferred with jurisdiction by S.257, subject to S.251 of the Constitution. It exercises both Original and Appellate jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters as conferred on it by the Constitution and other relevant laws. The High Court entertains all Appeals from the Magistrate/District Courts. It also entertains Appeals from Area courts and Customary Courts, except on issues relating to Islamic law or customary' law. In addition to the above, the High Court exercises Supervisory jurisdiction over the Magistrate/ District Courts and Area Courts.

COMPOSITION
The High Court consists of the Chief Judge and other Judges as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly. The Court is duly constituted by, at least, one (1) Judge of the Court. Presently, the Court has the full complement of thirty eight (38) Judges. The Chief Judge is the Head of the High Court. He performs Judicial and Administrative functions. The Chief Judge of the High Court is Honourable Justice LAWAL HASSAN GUMMI, OFR. He is also the Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory Judicial Service Committee.