Federal High Court marks 40

The Federal High Court Nigeria headed by Justice Ibrahim Auta on December 16 to 19, 2013 marked 40 years of its existence. The highlights of the week-long event was the presentation of the court’s new staircase accessibility platform, unveiling of the court’s e-filing system, and merit award to retired judges, judges promoted to higher bench […]

The Federal High Court Nigeria headed by Justice Ibrahim Auta on December 16 to 19, 2013 marked 40 years of its existence.

The highlights of the week-long event was the presentation of the court’s new staircase accessibility platform, unveiling of the court’s e-filing system, and merit award to retired judges, judges promoted to higher bench and long serving staff.

The Federal High Court was established by the Federal Revenue Act 1973 to handle matters exclusive to government revenue matters. The court became a ‘Federal High Court’ by section 228(1) and 230 (2) of the 1979 Constitution. The court’s scope and jurisdiction was listed under section 7 of the enabling Act. This was further expanded to civil causes and matters within the exclusive legislative list in section 251 (2) and (3) of the 1999 Constitution.
The court from its inception has been headed by judges of outstanding learning and repute on the Bench. Among them are: Justice O. Lambo, 1973-75; Justice J. Phil-Ebosie, January 1976-Decmber 1976; Justice F.O. Anyaegbunam 1977-87; Justice M.B. Belgore, 1987-2001; Justice R.N. Ukeje, 2001-2008.
Other heads of the court are: Justice Abdullahi Mustapha, 2008- 2009; and Justice Daniel Abutu, 2009-2011.
From single Revenue Court, the court now has 24 courts across the federation.