CORAM
AYO GABRIEL IRIKEFE,JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT
MICHAEL EKUNDAYO OGUNDARE JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT
ALOYSIUS IYORGYER KATSINA-ALU
PARTIES
NATIONAL ELECTRIC POWER AUTHORITY APPELLANTS
RESPONDENTS
AREA(S) OF LAW
SUMMARY OF FACTS
The respondents instituted action against the appellant for wrongful termination of employment in the High Court. ?
HELD
The court held that the High Court had no jurisdiction in any matter involving the Federal Government or any of its agencies
ISSUES
Whether the High Court had jurisdiction to hear and determine an action against a Federal Government Agency in view of the Constitution (Suspension and Modification) Decree 107 of 1993.
RATIONES DECIDENDI
JURISDICTION OF STATE HIGH COURT OVER MATTERS CONCERNING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OR ITS AGENCY
The aim of paragraphs (q),(r) and (s) of sub-section (1) of section 230 of the 1979 constitution as amended was to vest exclusive jurisdiction in the Federal High Court in matters in which the Federal Government or any of its agents was a party. A State High Court would no longer have jurisdiction in such matters notwithstanding the nature of the claim in the action – Ogundare J.S.C
CASES CITED
Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (Liquidator of United Commercial Bank Ltd.) v. Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria Ltd. (1997) 2 NWLR 735 at 756; Ona v. Atanda (2000) 5 NWLR 244 Egbuonu v. Borno Radio (1997) 12 SCNJ 99; (1997)12 NWLR 29
STATUTES REFERRED TO
The 1979 Constitution as amended ?