Efficiency and integrity of the legal process in Nigeria
Nigeria is unarguably the largest economy in Africa with an estimated population of about 200 million. The country operates a federal system of government, which allows devolution of power amongst the Federal Government and the 36 federating States. Patterned after the English legal system, Nigerian laws derive majorly from: (i) Nigerian legislation; (ii) received English laws (comprising Common law, equitable principles and Statutes of General application); (iii) Nigerian case laws (judicial precedent); (iv) Nigerian customary laws; (v) Islamic laws; and (vi) international laws and principles. The applicability of English laws and principles is subject to the provisions of Nigerian legislation and courts’ decisions. The Nigerian Court system is centralised with all appeals from State and Federal High Courts going to the Court of Appeal and then to the final Appeal Court being the Nigerian Supreme Court.