Section 286 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria
Section 286 of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 is about Jurisdiction of State courts in respect of Federal causes. It is under Part IV (Supplemental) of Chapter VII (The Judicature) of the Constitution.
(1) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution-
(a) where by the law of a State jurisdiction is conferred upon any court for the hearing and determination of civil causes and of appeals arising out of such causes, the court shall have like jurisdiction with respect to the hearing and determination of Federal causes and of appeals arising out of such causes;
(b) where by the law of a State jurisdiction is conferred upon any court for the investigation, inquiry into, or trial of persons accused of offences against the laws of the State and with respect to the hearing and determination of appeals arising out of any such trial or out of any proceedings connected therewith, the court shall have like jurisdiction with respect to the investigation, inquiry into, or trial of persons for Federal offences and the hearing and determination of appeals arising out of the trial or proceedings; and
(c) the jurisdiction conferred on a court of a State pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be exercised in conformity with the practice and procedure for the time being prescribed in relation to its jurisdiction over civil or criminal causes other than Federal causes.
(2) Nothing in the provisions of this section shall be construed, except in so far as other provisions have been made by the operation of sections 299 and 301 of this Constitution, as conferring jurisdiction
as respects Federal causes or Federal offences upon a court presided over by a person who is not or has not been qualified to practice as a legal practitioner in Nigeria.
(3) In this section, unless the context otherwise requires –
“causes” includes matter;
“Federal cause” means civil or criminal cause relating to any matter with respect to which the National Assembly has power to make laws; and
“Federal offence” means an offence contrary to the provisions of Act of the National Assembly or any law having effect as if so enacted.
Credit: Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC)
