The Supreme Court

The Supreme Court whose decisions are final is the highest judicial authority in the land. The said court consists of seventy judges operating through panels each composed of three judges presided over by the most senior thereof. The decisions, which are reached by the majority of opinion, are subject to revision only if and when the chief justice deems that an infringement of sharia laws had taken place. In this case he convenes a five Supreme Court judges panel the majority of whom not must have participated in reaching the disputed decision in order to resive the matter. The court disposes of appeals against the judgments of the courts of appeal in civil, criminal and personal matter cases.

            It has a preliminary jurisdiction of a single judge to consider appeals against the administrative decision of the president of the republic of the governors and of the federal and state ministers. Appeals from          the decision of this single judge’s court are dealt with by panel of three Supreme Court judges.

Members of the Supreme Court are appointed by the president of the republic on the advice of the supreme council of the judiciary from amongst members of the courts of appeal or other persons satisfying the qualifications and the required conditions.

            Four circuits of the Supreme Court operate outside the capital in the western, central and eastern states.