Supreme Court Rules on Federal High Court's Jurisdiction

On June 4, 2025, the Supreme Court of Nigeria, presided over by Justices Uwani Musa Abba Aji, Emmanuel Akomay Agim, Chioma Egondu Nwosu, Stephen Jonah Adah, and Jamilu Yammama Tukur, addressed an appeal concerning the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court in a case involving trespass to land. The appellant, represented by Imen Okoti, sought relief for damages amounting to N75,194,886.13 due to the construction of an oil pipeline on their land without consent.

The trial court had previously ruled in favor of the appellant, but the Court of Appeal later found that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to determine the suit. The Supreme Court upheld this decision, emphasizing that the Federal High Court does not have jurisdiction over matters concerning land title disputes and that the case should have been heard in a state high court.

The ruling clarified the limitations of the Federal High Court's jurisdiction under Section 251(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Section 7(1) of the Federal High Court Act.