The 1999 Constitution

Section 286 (1)(a)

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:

(Where the laws of a State has granted any Court the power to hear and determine civil cases and appeals that come out of such civil cases, the Court shall also have the power to hear and determine federal cases and appeals arising from such cases; )

Section 286 (1)(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

(Where the laws of a State has granted any Court the power to investigate, inquire into or try a person who has been accused of offences against the laws of that State and also concerning hearing and determining appeals that arise out of such cases, the Court will also have the power to do so when it concerns the investigation, inquiry into or trial of persons for Federal offences and appeals arising from such cases; )

Section 286 (1)(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.

(Whatever jurisdiction (i.e. power of a Court to hear and determine matters) which has been given to the Court of a State has to be exercised together with the practice and procedure for that Court at the time the jurisdiction was given over civil or criminal cases except for Federal causes.)

Section 286 (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.

(This section 286 of the 1999 Constitution does not in any way grant jurisdiction relating to Federal causes or Federal offences to courts presided over by a person who is not or has not been qualified to practice as a legal practitioner in Nigeria. This section should however be read together with section 299 and 301 of the 1999 Constitution.)

Section 286 (3)

In this section, unless the context otherwise requires –
“causes” includes matter;
“Federal cause” means civil or criminal cause relating to provisions of 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.

Section 287 (1)

The decisions of the Supreme court shall be enforced in any part of the Federation by all authorities and
persons, and by courts with subordinate jurisdiction to that of the supreme Court.

(Decisions of the Supreme Court can be enforced in any part of Nigeria by all authorities and persons and by Courts with jurisdiction lower than that of the Supreme Court.)

Section 287 (2)

The decisions of the Court of Appeal shall be enforced in any part of the Federation by all authorities and
persons, and by courts with subordinate jurisdiction to that of the court of Appeal.

(Decisions of the Court of Appeal can be enforced in any part of Nigeria by all authorities and persons and by Courts with jurisdiction lower than that of the Court of Appeal.)

Section 287 (3)

The decisions of the Federal High Court, a High Court and of all other courts established by this Constitution shall be enforced in any part of the Federation by all authorities and persons, and by other courts of law with subordinate jurisdiction to that of the Federal High Court, a High Court and those other courts, respectively.

(Decisions of the Federal High Court, High Court and all other courts created by the 1999 Constitution can be enforced in any part of Nigeria by all authorities and persons and by Courts with jurisdiction lower than that of the Federal High Court, High Court respectively.)