By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
The golden jubilee celebrations of the Federal High Court of Nigeria was excitedly done in a grand style. It started with decorations that adorned the headquarters of the court in Abuja.
The week long activities began with the arrival of judges (serving and retired) and registration on Sunday 10th December, 2023.
As it is tradition of the court, Christian and Muslim devotional worships were held simultaneously on Monday December 11 at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church Maitama Abuja and the National Mosque Abuja, FCT.
The essence of the devotional worships is to commit the works of the judges into the hands of God and to ask for God’s guidance, strength and direction in the discharge of their duties.
HISTORY OF THE FHC
The Federal Revenue Court (as the Federal High Court was then called) was established by the Federal Revenue Decree No 13 of 1973. The court was renamed the ‘Federal High Court ‘ by Sections 228 (1) and 230(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1979.
Although the need was noted during the Constitutional Conference leading to independence to establish a High Court for the determination of causes and matters within the Exclusive Legislative list, as is customary in countries with the federal system of government, no step was however taken in that regard until the promulgation of the Federal Revenue Court Decree in 1973.
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The court as Federal Revenue Court began with a President as the head of the court as it was then called, and four judges.
From its inception, controversies over its jurisdiction dogged every step of the court.
However, such controversies were finally settled with the enactment of Section 230(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1979.
Section 230(1) of the 1979 Constitution was replicated in the Federal High Court Decree (amendment)(60) 1991 which amended Section 7 of the Federal High Court Act 1973, and conferred exclusive jurisdiction on the court in relation to the subject matters covered by Section 7 of the Act, as amended.
Section 7 of the Federal High Court (amendment) Decree of 1991 has now been re-enacted as Section 251(1)(a) to (s) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.
Its jurisdiction in criminal matters are as provided in Section 251(2) and (3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, and such criminal matters as National Assembly may by Act, confer jurisdiction on it.
The Federal High Court has concurrent jurisdiction with the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and State High Court in respect of Fundamental Rights matters by virtue of Section 461(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.
PIONEER JUDGES
The Federal Revenue Court started with five pioneering judges of the court with a President, Hon. Justice Sigismund Olarenwaju Lambo. Others were then Hon. Justice J.A.Phil-Ebosie, Hon Justice Adeitan Ayinde Adediran, Hon. Justice Mahmud Babatunde Belgore and Hon. Justice Frederick Okwudi Anyaegbunam.
Thereafter, the subsequent Judges as Chief Judges of the Federal High Court of Nigeria includes Hon. Justice M.B. Belgore (of blessed memory), Hon. Justice Rose N.Ukeje (the only female Chief Judge so far), Hon Justice Abdullahi Mustapha, Hon. Justice Daniel D. Abutu, Hon. Justice Ibrahim N. Auta and Hon. Justice Adamu Abdu-Kafarati (of blessed memory).
SERVING JUDGES
With the recent appointment of Twenty-three (23) new judges, the Federal High Court of Nigeria has currently ninety-four (94) Judges with Hon. Justice John Terhemba Tsoho as the current Chief Judge.
ACTIVITIES MARKING GOLDEN JUBILEE (50Yrs) OF FHC: 1973 – 2023.
Various activities were mapped out for the celebration of the golden jubilee.
One of the highlights was a Novelty Football match at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja in which selected Federal High Court Judges played with members of the Nigerian Bar Association football team, FCT branch.
The Special Guest of Honour was the Sports Minister Senator John Owen Enoh. He was at the main bowl of the stadium in company of his chief host, the Hon Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Terhemba Tsoho.
After the initial ceremony of introduction of judges who dressed in sports outfits with face cap to match, FHC players wearing green jerseys, NBA players wearing yellow jerseys, the FIFA rated match officials wearing black outfits and taking of photographs, the Hon.Sports Minister Senator John Enoh kicked the football to flag up the match.
At the end of the first half , the score line was one goal to each side.
However, at the resumption of the second half, the tempo became higher and finally, the FHC team scored their second goal which was sustained till the final whistle. The match ended 2 to 1 in favour of the Federal High Court team.
The presentation of medals to all the players was done by the Minister. He finally presented the Trophy/Golden Cup to the FHC team through their captain.
Another highlight of the golden jubilee celebrations was the delivering of the Anniversary lecture by two retired jurists of the Federal High Court.
The first paper titled ”The Federal High Court of Nigeria Golden Jubilee 1973 – 2023, Fifty Years Down The Line: Past, Present, And Future ” was delivered by Hon. Justice Rose Nonyem Ukeje (OFR), former Chief Judge of Federal High Court while the second paper titled ”Evolution Of The Federal High Court Registry ” was presented by the Hon.Justice Cecilia Mojisola A. Olatoregun, an emeritus judge of Federal High Court.
Publications of the Federal High Court was presented by the Chief Judge, Justice John Terhemba Tsoho while the lecture was chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Hon.Justice Olukayode Ariwoola (GCON).
GALA/AWARD/CULTURAL NIGHT
This was the final event which rounded up the week long celebrations.
The Gala night featured display of cultural troupes, 50th Anniversary Awards to retired Chief Judges, current Chief Judge, elevated Judges to Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, retired Federal High Court Judges, former Chief Registrars, current Chief Registrar, 2023 Chief Judge’s Merit Award, presentation of Medals by FHC Sports Club to the Hon. Chief Judge and cutting of the Golden Jubilee Anniversary Cake.
Winners of Chief Judge’s Merit Award
are categorised into three as follows: Gold Award winner, Silver 1st Runner up and Bronze 2nd Runner up.
Giving reasons for the award, Justice Tsoho said “The Chief Judge’s Annual Merit Award is a means of recognising and appreciating staff who are exceptional in terms of character, hard work, intelligence, dedication and efficiency.”
“It is a form of motivation chosen by the Head of Court to encourage deserving staff and to galvanize the entire workforce towards putting in their best for higher productivity and effective service delivery “
“In the selection process, there is no favouritism or partiality. It is only based on good conduct, hard work, dedication and efficiency. Staff with bad records are never considered.” the Chief Judge said.
“This year, a total of 52 nominations were received, only 11 scaled through the screening process, and out of which the following three nominees were considered and recommended as the Award winner , 1st and 2nd runner up respectively “
According to the Chief Judge, the Chief Judge’s Merit Award was instituted by a former Chief Judge, late Hon .Justice M.B. Belgore. It has become an annual event and part of the court’s triple event on yearly basis.
AWARD WINNERS
- Mrs Ngozika A. Ikeh, Assistant Chief Accountant.
- Mrs Ndifreke E. Akpan, Senior Admin.Officer.
- Olatunji A. Ishola, Senior Clerical Officer (Oshogbo Division)
While congratulating the winners, Justice Tsoho adopted the time honoured statement of Denzel Washington “that a man gives you the award but God gives you the reward”.