(1979-LCER-2026-SC)
Other Citations
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF NIGERIA
On Monday, the 11th day of June, 1979
SC.28/1979
Before Their Lordships
DARNLEY A. R. ALEXANDER….. Justice, Supreme Court
GEORGE SODEINDE SOWEMIMO….. Justice, Supreme Court
AYO GABRIEL IRIKEFE….. Justice, Supreme Court
MOHAMMED BELLO….. Justice, Supreme Court
CHUKWUNWEIKE IDIGBE….. Justice, Supreme Court
ANDREWS OTUTU OBASEKI….. Justice, Supreme Court
KAYODE ESO….. Justice, Supreme Court
Between
DR. J.O.J. OKEZIE
Appellant
And
1.THE FEDERAL ATTORNEY GENERAL
2. MR. G. IDRIS (Secretary, Nigerian Constituent Assembly)
Respondents
HELD:
In the result, counsel for the “plaintiff” having withdrawn the purported action and Statement of Claim, they are accordingly struck out, with costs to the “defendants” assessed and fixed at N300.00 to be paid by the “plaintiff”.
RATIO DECIDENDI:
D. A. R. ALEXANDER, J.S.C. (Delivering the Leading Ruling): The purported statement of claim and the purported claims in this matter are hereby struck out, counsel for the “plaintiff” having conceded that the Supreme Court of Nigeria has no jurisdiction in the matter under the Constitution of the Federation, No.20 of 1963, which is the existing constitution under which the Supreme Court is empowered to exercise jurisdiction, whether original or appellate jurisdiction. Counsel also withdrew the claim in the circumstances.
P,1
This court found it necessary during the argument of counsel to point out that Section 114 of the existing Constitution of the Federation was suspended by Decree No. 1 of 1966, Schedule 1, the Constitution (Suspension and Modification) Decree 1966 and has not been revived. The court also found it necessary to point out that Supreme Court Rules, 1977 on which counsel relied, in particular Order 5, cannot confer jurisdiction on, or enlarge the jurisdiction of, the Supreme Court, since the Supreme Court cannot confer jurisdiction on itself and thereby usurp the function of the constitution-making authority or the legislature.
In the result, counsel for the “plaintiff” having withdrawn the purported action and Statement of Claim, they are accordingly struck out, with costs to the “defendants” assessed and fixed at N300.00 to be paid by the “plaintiff”.
P.2
Counsel
Mr. J.N. Obonna…..For Appellant
AND
Mr. O.A. Soetan, Solicitor-General of the Federation (with him, Mr. S.S.A. Ojomo, Assistant Director, Federal Ministry of Justice)…..For Respondent