Dr Kemi Pinheiro, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, has called for the creation of supreme courts in states of the nation to reflect federalism.
He made the call at a public presentation of book co-written by Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, SAN, in Ikeja on Wednesday evening.
The book is entitled: “The Supreme Court of Nigeria: History, Establishment, Jurists and Speeches”.
Mr Pedro wrote the book together with Abdulrasheed Ibrahim.
The Senior Advocate, who gave a lecture on “The Supreme Court: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” at the event, said that each state in the U.S. had its own supreme court.
“It is about time states start having supreme courts if we are really serious about federalism. There is no reason the states cannot have their supreme courts.
“There are certain cases that should not end up in the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
“For instance, why would matrimonial matters, customary law cases end up in the Supreme Court?
“Why would you, for instance, tell a Supreme Court judge who is from Zamfara State to take a decision in relation to customary law that has to do with Ebonyi State law.
“It does not make sense,” he argued.
He also suggested that, in order to reduce heavy case loads in the Supreme Court of Nigeria, the jurisdiction of the court should be limited to only appeals arising from matters within the jurisdiction of federal courts such as the Federal High Court and the National Industrial Court.
Mr Pinheiro also recommended better service conditions, better healthcare services and increased remuneration for judicial officers.
He said that there was need for appointment of more justices at the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
According to him, there should be amendment of the 1999 Constitution to allow for termination of certain appeals at the Court of Appeal.
“What business should the Supreme Court have with divorce cases and tenancy matter?
“Just as matters from National Industrial Court ends at the Court of Appeal, same should be applicable to a number of civil matters.
“There should be enhancement of independence of the judiciary”.
