Section 238 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria

Section 238 of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 is about Appointment of President and Justices of the Court of Appeal. It is under B (The Court of Appeal) of Part I (Federal Courts) of Chapter VII (The Judicature) of the Constitution.

(1) The appointment of a person to the office of President of the Court of Appeal shall be made by the President on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council, subject to confirmation of such appointment by the Senate.

(2) The appointment of a person to the office of a Justice of the Court of Appeal shall be made by the President on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council.

(3) A person shall not be qualified to hold the office of a Justice of the Court of Appeal unless he is qualified to practise as a legal practitioner in Nigeria and has been so qualified for a period of not less than twelve years.

(4) If the office of the President of the Court of Appeal is vacant, or if the person holding the office is for any reason unable to perform the functions of the office, then until a person has been appointed
to and has assumed the functions of that office, or until the person holding the office has resumed those functions, the President shall appoint the most senior Justice of the Court of Appeal to perform those functions.

(5) Except on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council, an appointment pursuant to the provisions of subsection (4) of this section shall cease to have effect after the expiration of three months from the date of such appointment, and the President shall not re-appoint a person whose appointment has lapsed.

Credit: Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC)