{"id":990981,"date":"2026-05-12T13:44:15","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T12:44:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/1stattorneys.com\/articles\/?p=990981"},"modified":"2026-05-12T13:45:32","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T12:45:32","slug":"conflicting-supreme-court-judgments-in-nigeria-anatomy-of-a-judicial-crisis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/1stattorneys.com\/articles\/2026\/05\/12\/conflicting-supreme-court-judgments-in-nigeria-anatomy-of-a-judicial-crisis\/","title":{"rendered":"Conflicting Supreme Court Judgments in Nigeria: Anatomy of a Judicial Crisis"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n \n \n \n<\/title>\n <meta name=\"description\" content=\"An in-depth analysis of the crisis of conflicting Supreme Court judgments in Nigeria, exploring root causes, the doctrine of stare decisis, and proposed judicial reforms.\">\n <style>\n @import url('https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css2?family=Inter:wght@300;400;500;600;700;800;900&family=Merriweather:ital,wght@0,300;0,400;0,700;1,400&family=Playfair+Display:wght@400;700;900&family=Roboto:wght@300;400;700&family=Fira+Code:wght@400;500&family=Montserrat:wght@300;400;600;700&family=Libre+Baskerville:ital,wght@0,400;0,700;1,400&family=Open+Sans:wght@300;400;600;700&family=Space+Grotesk:wght@300;400;600;700&family=Outfit:wght@300;400;600;700&family=JetBrains+Mono:wght@400;500&family=Plus+Jakarta+Sans:wght@400;600;700;800&family=Libre+Franklin:wght@300;400;700;800&family=Crimson+Pro:ital,wght@0,400;0,700;1,400&display=swap');\n\n .ais-article-container {\n font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, sans-serif;\n font-size: 16px;\n line-height: 1.6;\n letter-spacing: 0;\n font-weight: 400;\n color: #334155;\n background-color: #ffffff;\n padding: 3rem;\n max-width: 100%;\n margin: 0 auto;\n border-radius: 4px;\n transition: all 0.3s ease;\n box-sizing: border-box !important;\n overflow-wrap: break-word;\n word-wrap: break-word;\n -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;\n -moz-osx-font-smoothing: grayscale;\n \n \n \n }\n\n .ais-article-container *, \n .ais-article-container *::before, \n .ais-article-container *::after {\n box-sizing: border-box !important;\n }\n\n .ais-article-container article { \n margin-bottom: 4rem; 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opacity: 0.8; }\n .ais-article-container .insight-dashboard.vibrant .insight-content { color: #fff; }\n\n \n \n .ais-article-container .container-glass {\n backdrop-filter: blur(12px);\n background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);\n border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.2);\n }\n .ais-article-container .container-outline {\n border: 2px solid #3b82f6;\n background: transparent;\n }\n .ais-article-container .container-solid {\n background-color: #f59e0b11;\n border: none;\n }\n .ais-article-container .container-gradient {\n background: linear-gradient(135deg, #3b82f611 0%, #f59e0b11 100%);\n border: none;\n }\n .ais-article-container .container-brutalist {\n border: 3px solid #000;\n background: #fff;\n box-shadow: 6px 6px 0px #000;\n }\n .ais-article-container .container-soft {\n background: #64748b08;\n border-radius: 2rem;\n border: 1px solid #64748b22;\n }\n \n <\/style>\n<\/head>\n<body class=\"template-rendered\">\n <div class=\"ais-article-container \">\n <article>\n \n <header><h1 id=\"editable-title\" contenteditable=\"false\">\n<\/h1><\/header>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n <div id=\"editable-content\" contenteditable=\"false\">\n \n <h1 id=\"conflicting-supreme-court-judgments-in-nigeria-anatomy-of-a-judicial-crisis\">Conflicting Supreme Court Judgments in Nigeria: Anatomy of a Judicial Crisis<\/h1>\n<h2 id=\"abstract\">Abstract<\/h2>\n<p>The Supreme Court of Nigeria stands as the apex judicial body, constitutionally empowered as the final court of appeal whose decisions are binding on all authorities and persons throughout the federation. Yet in recent years, a troubling phenomenon has emerged with increasing frequency: conflicting judgments emanating from the Supreme Court itself, as well as divergent interpretations of its decisions by lower courts, litigants, and even the executive arm of government. This article undertakes a comprehensive examination of conflicting Supreme Court judgments in Nigeria, exploring their nature, causation, and consequences. It analyzes the constitutional and jurisprudential framework governing judicial precedent, examines the doctrine of stare decisis and its exceptions, and reviews landmark cases where the Supreme Court has either contradicted its own previous decisions or engendered irreconcilable interpretations. Finally, the article proposes a multi-faceted reform agenda to restore certainty, consistency, and public confidence in Nigeria\u2019s highest judicial institution.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"1-introduction\">1. Introduction<\/h2>\n\n <div class=\"keynote keynote-important keynote-shape-default\" style=\"\" contenteditable=\"false\">\n <div class=\"keynote-icon\">\u2605<\/div>\n <div class=\"keynote-content\">The Supreme Court’s conflicting judgments undermine legal certainty, predictability, and equality before the law, which are essential to a functioning democracy.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n \n \n<p>The judiciary in Nigeria is facing a persistent crisis of conflicting court orders and judgments, where courts of the same rank issue opposing rulings on the same matters, and even the Supreme Court, the constitutional apex of the nation\u2019s judicial hierarchy, has not been immune to this scourge. Legal analysts fear that public trust in the judiciary is steadily eroding as citizens watch courts of identical authority issue diametrically opposed judgments, reinforcing perceptions that judicial outcomes are negotiable or politically influenced.<\/p>\n<p>The Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) has described conflicting judgments emanating from the Supreme Court as \u201cworrisome,\u201d lamenting that the problem persists despite repeated concerns raised since 2012. The Nigerian Bar Association\u2019s President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, has warned that the inconsistency in judicial pronouncements has continued to raise serious concerns within the legal profession and among members of the public who look to the courts for clarity and justice.<\/p>\n<p>At its core, this phenomenon strikes at the very heart of the rule of law. If the highest court in the land cannot speak with a consistent voice, then the foundations of legal certainty, predictability, and equality before the law, principles essential to any functioning democracy, are dangerously compromised.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"2-understanding-conflicting-judgments-definitions-and-manifestations\">2. Understanding Conflicting Judgments: Definitions and Manifestations<\/h2>\n<h3 id=\"2-1-conflicting-judgments-of-courts-of-coordinate-jurisdiction\">2.1 Conflicting Judgments of Courts of Coordinate Jurisdiction<\/h3>\n <div class=\"insight-dashboard card anchored\" contenteditable=\"false\">\n <div class=\"insight-grid insight-cols-1\">\n \n <div class=\"insight-card type-fact span-1\" >\n <div class=\"insight-icon\">\u2713<\/div>\n <div class=\"insight-body\">\n <div class=\"insight-title\" >PDP Convention Crisis<\/div>\n <div class=\"insight-content\" >In the 2025 PDP national convention crisis, three courts issued contradictory orders within twelve days regarding the convention’s legality.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <div class=\"insight-dashboard card anchored\" contenteditable=\"false\">\n <div class=\"insight-grid insight-cols-1\">\n \n <div class=\"insight-card type-fact span-1\">\n <div class=\"insight-icon\">\u2713<\/div>\n <div class=\"insight-body\">\n <div class=\"insight-title\">PDP Convention Crisis<\/div>\n <div class=\"insight-content\">In the 2025 PDP national convention crisis, three courts issued contradictory orders within twelve days regarding the convention’s legality.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n<p>The most prevalent form of conflict occurs when courts of equal standing, whether different divisions of the Court of Appeal, different Federal High Courts, or State High Courts, issue contradictory rulings on substantially similar issues. This phenomenon, which the Administrator of the National Judicial Institute, Justice Babatunde Adejumo, has characterized as a \u201cnatural part of the justice system,\u201d often stems from differences in judges\u2019 interpretations of facts and evidence placed before them.<\/p>\n<p>However, while Justice Adejumo argues that such divergences are not necessarily signs of judicial failure, the practical consequences are often severe. For instance, during the Peoples Democratic Party\u2019s national convention crisis in 2025, three courts issued contradictory orders within the space of twelve days: one court forbade the convention, another gave it the green light, and yet a third reinstated the ban. Such scenarios create legal chaos, encourage forum shopping, and undermine the authority of judicial pronouncements.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"2-2-conflicting-supreme-court-decisions\">2.2 Conflicting Supreme Court Decisions<\/h3>\n\n <div class=\"keynote keynote-warning keynote-shape-default\" style=\"\" contenteditable=\"false\">\n <div class=\"keynote-icon\">\u26a0<\/div>\n <div class=\"keynote-content\">A smaller panel of the Supreme Court cannot overrule a larger panel; doing so violates established principles of judicial hierarchy.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n \n \n<p>More troubling than conflicts among lower courts are conflicts within the Supreme Court itself. Here, two distinct sub-categories emerge:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Intra-panel conflicts:<\/strong> When the Supreme Court, sitting in different panels, delivers inconsistent rulings on the same legal issue without expressly overruling prior authorities. BOSAN highlighted a vivid example: the question of the competence of originating processes signed in a law firm\u2019s name. The Supreme Court unequivocally resolved this in the negative in <em>Okafor v. Nweke<\/em>, reaffirmed the position in <em>FBN v. Maiwada<\/em>, yet subsequent decisions in <em>Olowe v. Aluko<\/em> (delivered May 23, 2025) adopted a liberal approach, while <em>Menakaya v. Ezim<\/em> (delivered barely two weeks later) \u201creverted to the old order\u201d. As BOSAN lamented, whereas <em>Olowe v. Aluko<\/em> seemed to adopt a liberal approach to the principle in <em>Okafor v. Nweke<\/em>, <em>Menakaya v. Ezim<\/em> reverted to the old order.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The larger panel versus smaller panel conflict:<\/strong> A fundamental principle of judicial hierarchy mandates that a smaller panel cannot overrule a larger panel. This principle was called into question in the Rivers State crisis, where a five-justice panel of the Supreme Court appeared to address an issue previously settled by a seven-justice panel, raising concerns about adherence to judicial hierarchy.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"2-3-conflicting-interpretations-of-supreme-court-judgments\">2.3 Conflicting Interpretations of Supreme Court Judgments<\/h3>\n<p>A related but distinct problem arises when parties, lawyers, and even government authorities offer conflicting interpretations of what the Supreme Court actually decided. The case of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly exemplifies this: parties to the dispute have provided conflicting interpretations of the Supreme Court\u2019s ruling, particularly regarding the standing and validity of the Assembly\u2019s actions post-defection. Similarly, the PDP leadership tussle involving Samuel Anyanwu and Okorie Okoye saw both sides claiming victory following the Supreme Court\u2019s pronouncement, creating additional ambiguity.<\/p>\n<p>Most alarmingly, in 2025, following the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, the appointed Sole Administrator announced the release of previously withheld federal allocations, a direct contradiction of an existing Supreme Court ruling ordering such funds to be withheld. A lawyer, Dr. Festus Okpara, noted that the release of funds directly contradicts the Supreme Court\u2019s ruling, emphasizing that Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution explicitly states that Supreme Court decisions are binding on all persons and authorities.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"3-the-constitutional-and-jurisprudential-framework\">3. The Constitutional and Jurisprudential Framework<\/h2>\n<h3 id=\"3-1-the-binding-authority-of-supreme-court-decisions\">3.1 The Binding Authority of Supreme Court Decisions<\/h3>\n\n <div class=\"keynote keynote-info keynote-shape-default\" style=\"\" contenteditable=\"false\">\n <div class=\"keynote-icon\">\u2139<\/div>\n <div class=\"keynote-content\">Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution makes Supreme Court decisions binding on all persons and authorities, admitting no exceptions.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n \n \n<p>Section 287(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) establishes the binding nature of Supreme Court decisions: decisions of the Supreme Court are binding on all persons and authorities. This constitutional provision is absolute and admits of no exceptions. The Supreme Court is not merely the highest court in the land; it is the <em>final<\/em> court, the ultimate arbiter whose pronouncements are intended to bring finality to disputes.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"3-2-the-doctrine-of-stare-decisis\">3.2 The Doctrine of Stare Decisis<\/h3>\n<p>The doctrine of stare decisis, Latin for \u201cto stand by things decided\u201d, is a well-rooted principle in Nigerian jurisprudence. It mandates that decisions of higher courts bind lower courts, and courts of equal standing should follow established precedents. As one commentator notes, stare decisis has the merit of promoting certainty and consistency in judicial decisions and helps to economize on decision-making resources.<\/p>\n<p>The doctrine operates where the issue determined by the court in an earlier case is the same or similar to the issue the court is subsequently approached to determine. Within the Supreme Court, a fundamental principle requires that a smaller panel, such as a five-justice bench, should not overrule the decision of a larger panel, such as a seven-justice bench.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"3-3-the-judicial-hierarchy\">3.3 The Judicial Hierarchy<\/h3>\n <div class=\"insight-dashboard card anchored\" contenteditable=\"false\">\n <div class=\"insight-grid insight-cols-1\">\n \n <div class=\"insight-card type-quote span-1\" >\n <div class=\"insight-icon\">\u275d<\/div>\n <div class=\"insight-body\">\n <div class=\"insight-title\" >The Role of Appellate Courts<\/div>\n <div class=\"insight-content\" >If two or three courts give conflicting decisions on the same subject matter, the appellate courts exist to resolve them. Whatever the Supreme Court decides becomes final and binding.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <div class=\"insight-dashboard card anchored\" contenteditable=\"false\">\n <div class=\"insight-grid insight-cols-1\">\n \n <div class=\"insight-card type-quote span-1\">\n <div class=\"insight-icon\">\u275d<\/div>\n <div class=\"insight-body\">\n <div class=\"insight-title\">The Role of Appellate Courts<\/div>\n <div class=\"insight-content\">If two or three courts give conflicting decisions on the same subject matter, the appellate courts exist to resolve them. Whatever the Supreme Court decides becomes final and binding.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n<p>Nigeria\u2019s judicial hierarchy is constitutionally created: from the High Courts, through the Court of Appeal, to the Supreme Court. This hierarchical structure exists precisely to resolve conflicts when they arise. As the Administrator of the National Judicial Institute has explained, \u201cIf two or three courts give conflicting decisions on the same subject matter, the appellate courts exist to resolve them. Whatever the Supreme Court decides becomes final and binding\u201d. Once the Supreme Court has spoken, no division of the Court of Appeal or lower court should issue a contrary decision, except for clarifying ambiguities in interpretation.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"4-why-conflicting-judgments-occur-an-analysis-of-root-causes\">4. Why Conflicting Judgments Occur: An Analysis of Root Causes<\/h2>\n<h3 id=\"4-1-doctrinal-and-procedural-causes\">4.1 Doctrinal and Procedural Causes<\/h3>\n <div class=\"insight-dashboard card anchored\" contenteditable=\"false\">\n <div class=\"insight-grid insight-cols-1\">\n \n <div class=\"insight-card type-highlight span-1\" >\n <div class=\"insight-icon\">\u2727<\/div>\n <div class=\"insight-body\">\n <div class=\"insight-title\" >Failure to Expressly Overrule<\/div>\n <div class=\"insight-content\" >The Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) noted that many recent Supreme Court decisions conflict with previous ones without expressly overruling them.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <div class=\"insight-dashboard card anchored\" contenteditable=\"false\">\n <div class=\"insight-grid insight-cols-1\">\n \n <div class=\"insight-card type-highlight span-1\">\n <div class=\"insight-icon\">\u2727<\/div>\n <div class=\"insight-body\">\n <div class=\"insight-title\">Failure to Expressly Overrule<\/div>\n <div class=\"insight-content\">The Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) noted that many recent Supreme Court decisions conflict with previous ones without expressly overruling them.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n<p><strong>Panel size and composition:<\/strong> The Supreme Court sits in panels of varying sizes, five, seven, or even larger benches. When different panels are composed of different justices, the possibility of jurisprudential divergence increases. A smaller panel that fails to follow the decision of a larger panel violates established principles of judicial hierarchy. Critics have noted that the Supreme Court\u2019s decision in the Rivers State matter, where a five-justice panel addressed an issue previously settled by a seven-justice panel, undermined the consistency and reliability of legal precedents.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Failure to expressly overrule inconsistent decisions:<\/strong> As BOSAN observed, \u201ca good number of latter decisions of the court, which conflict with its previous decisions, do not expressly overrule or set aside the previous inconsistent decisions\u201d. This creates confusion as to whether the earlier decision remains good law. The result is a \u201ccacophonous principle which suggests that the latter court could elect which to follow, between any of the conflicting earlier positions of the previous court\u201d.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ambiguous judgment writing:<\/strong> Nigerian courts have been criticized for delivering judgments that \u201cread like riddles\u201d and \u201cmust not leave room for endless misinterpretation\u201d. When judgments lack clarity and precision, they invite divergent interpretations and manipulation.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"4-2-institutional-and-systemic-causes\">4.2 Institutional and Systemic Causes<\/h3>\n <div class=\"insight-dashboard card anchored\" contenteditable=\"false\">\n <div class=\"insight-grid insight-cols-1\">\n \n <div class=\"insight-card type-insight span-1\" >\n <div class=\"insight-icon\">\u2727<\/div>\n <div class=\"insight-body\">\n <div class=\"insight-title\" >Political Interference<\/div>\n <div class=\"insight-content\" >Political interference and the judicialization of politics are major root causes of discordant judicial pronouncements, especially in election petitions.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <div class=\"insight-dashboard card anchored\" contenteditable=\"false\">\n <div class=\"insight-grid insight-cols-1\">\n \n <div class=\"insight-card type-insight span-1\">\n <div class=\"insight-icon\">\u2727<\/div>\n <div class=\"insight-body\">\n <div class=\"insight-title\">Political Interference<\/div>\n <div class=\"insight-content\">Political interference and the judicialization of politics are major root causes of discordant judicial pronouncements, especially in election petitions.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n<p><strong>Political interference and judicialization of politics:<\/strong> The Supreme Court has become heavily enmeshed in political disputes, particularly election petitions and political party leadership tussles. A retired Supreme Court justice identified political interference as a root cause of discordant judicial pronouncements. When courts are drawn into highly contested political battles, the pressure to produce outcomes that satisfy competing interests can lead to strained reasoning and inconsistency.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Forum shopping and strategic litigation:<\/strong> Litigants, particularly in political matters, often move cases from one jurisdiction to another in search of sympathetic judges. This practice, which the National Judicial Council has sought to curb through guidelines, creates fertile ground for conflicting orders from courts of coordinate jurisdiction.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Inadequate judicial education and internal coordination:<\/strong> Despite the existence of the National Judicial Institute, there appears to be insufficient coordination among Supreme Court justices regarding the consistency of their decisions. The Judiciary has been criticized for failing to establish mechanisms for tracking and harmonizing conflicting precedents.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"4-3-deficiencies-in-judicial-appointments-and-accountability\">4.3 Deficiencies in Judicial Appointments and Accountability<\/h3>\n<p>The National Judicial Council, which oversees judicial appointments, has been severely criticized for mishandling judicial appointments. In 2020, for instance, it authorized fifteen vacancies for the Federal Capital Territory High Court but nominated thirty-four for appointment. The NJC has also been accused of undermining merit-based appointments and compromising judicial integrity. When judges are appointed through processes that prioritize criteria other than merit and intellectual rigor, the quality of judicial reasoning, and consequently, the consistency of decisions, may suffer.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"4-4-external-factors-executive-disregard-for-judicial-decisions\">4.4 External Factors: Executive Disregard for Judicial Decisions<\/h3>\n<p>A particularly alarming dimension of the problem is the increasing tendency of the executive arm of government to disregard or reinterpret Supreme Court decisions. As noted earlier, the release of funds to the Rivers State Sole Administrator in direct contradiction of a Supreme Court ruling raised critical legal and constitutional questions. Such conduct violates Section 287(1) of the Constitution, undermines judicial authority, and sets a dangerous precedent where executive power can override court decisions. If the government believes a situation has changed, the proper legal approach would be to seek a Supreme Court review of its ruling, rather than unilaterally disregarding it.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"5-the-dilemma-of-lower-courts-facing-conflicting-supreme-court-decisions\">5. The Dilemma of Lower Courts Facing Conflicting Supreme Court Decisions<\/h2>\n<h3 id=\"5-1-the-traditional-position\">5.1 The Traditional Position<\/h3>\n<p>The traditional position, as affirmed by the Supreme Court in <em>Tsamiya v. Bauchi Native Authority<\/em>, is uncompromising: even if a decision of a higher court was reached <em>per incuriam<\/em> (through lack of care), an inferior court may criticize it but it must follow the decision. The Court held that \u201cit is not for an inferior court to say that a decision of the higher court was reached per incuriam, that is a privilege of the higher court if, after reconsidering its former decision, it is satisfied that the previous decision has been reached per incuriam\u201d.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"5-2-the-rule-of-the-latter-decision\">5.2 The Rule of the Latter Decision<\/h3>\n\n <div class=\"keynote keynote-info keynote-shape-default\" style=\"\" contenteditable=\"false\">\n <div class=\"keynote-icon\">\u2139<\/div>\n <div class=\"keynote-content\">Lower courts facing conflicting Supreme Court decisions are traditionally required to apply the latest decision as the extant position of the law.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n \n \n<p>Where a court is faced with two conflicting decisions of the Supreme Court, the latter court, whether the Supreme Court or Court of Appeal, is required to apply the latest of such decisions as constituting the extant position of the law. However, BOSAN has noted that this rule is not uniformly applied, and some courts elect which to follow between conflicting earlier positions.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"5-3-the-pick-and-choice-approach\">5.3 The Pick-and-Choice Approach<\/h3>\n<p>Academic analysis suggests that in situations of conflict, the lower court may be at liberty to pick and choose which of the Supreme Court or Court of Appeal decisions to follow. However, the option of simply following the latter of the conflicting decisions, though an easy way out of the quandary, has been characterized as \u201cin most cases arbitrary and largely unsupportable\u201d.<\/p>\n\n<h2 id=\"6-the-doctrine-of-per-incuriam\">6. The Doctrine of Per Incuriam<\/h2>\n\n<h3 id=\"6-1-definition-and-scope\">6.1 Definition and Scope<\/h3>\n <div class=\"insight-dashboard card anchored\" contenteditable=\"false\">\n <div class=\"insight-grid insight-cols-1\">\n \n <div class=\"insight-card type-fact span-1\" >\n <div class=\"insight-icon\">\u2713<\/div>\n <div class=\"insight-body\">\n <div class=\"insight-title\" >Per Incuriam Doctrine<\/div>\n <div class=\"insight-content\" >The doctrine of per incuriam applies when a decision is wrongly decided based on a wrong principle of law or ignorance of binding precedents.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <div class=\"insight-dashboard card anchored\" contenteditable=\"false\">\n <div class=\"insight-grid insight-cols-1\">\n \n <div class=\"insight-card type-fact span-1\">\n <div class=\"insight-icon\">\u2713<\/div>\n <div class=\"insight-body\">\n <div class=\"insight-title\">Per Incuriam Doctrine<\/div>\n <div class=\"insight-content\">The doctrine of per incuriam applies when a decision is wrongly decided based on a wrong principle of law or ignorance of binding precedents.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n<p>A decision is said to be given <em>per incuriam<\/em> (literally, \u201cthrough lack of care\u201d) when it is wrongly decided based on a wrong principle of law or the judge or judges were ill-informed about the applicable law. As the Court of Appeal held in <em>Umaru v. Aliyu<\/em>, a decision can be said to be given per incuriam when it was wrongly decided based on a wrong principle of law or the Judge or Judges were ill informed about the applicable law. The concept signals a judicial lapse, a failure to consider binding precedent or statute.<\/p>\n\n<h3 id=\"6-2-practical-application\">6.2 Practical Application<\/h3>\n\n<p>The per incuriam doctrine has been invoked in numerous contexts in Nigeria. Following the Supreme Court\u2019s judgment in Nnamdi Kanu\u2019s case, the appellant\u2019s lawyer described the ruling as \u201cper incuriam, a judgment delivered in ignorance of binding precedents\u201d. He argued that the Supreme Court contradicted its own precedents and hollowed out Section 36(9) of the Constitution.<\/p>\n\n<p>However, the application of the per incuriam doctrine is strictly circumscribed. Even where a decision is reached per incuriam, the remedy of setting aside is not appropriate for a decision reached per incuriam which can always be appealed against and can be avoided as authority or precedent for subsequent cases. As the Court of Appeal further clarified, when a judgment is deemed per incuriam, the implication is that it cannot be used as authority or precedents by courts of concurrent or inferior jurisdiction.<\/p>\n\n<h3 id=\"6-3-the-per-incuriam-doctrine-as-an-excuse-for-judicial-inconsistency\">6.3 The Per Incuriam Doctrine as an Excuse for Judicial Inconsistency<\/h3>\n\n<p>A critical observation in the literature is that the per incuriam doctrine can sometimes be invoked too readily, or conversely, ignored when it should be applied. In the context of the Supreme Court\u2019s 2024 judgment on local government autonomy, commentators noted that if the court\u2019s previous decisions in 2002 and 2006 forbidding direct allocations to local governments were made per incuriam, the apex court in the 2024 judgment should have stated so. \u201cBut the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the lead majority judgement read by Justice Agim on 11 July, 2024 did not say so! It is an aberration to deliver a judgement that completely ignores the previous decisions of the same court on the same subject matter\u201d.<\/p>\n\n<h2 id=\"7-the-supreme-courts-power-to-overrule-itself\">7. The Supreme Court\u2019s Power to Overrule Itself<\/h2>\n <div class=\"insight-dashboard card anchored\" contenteditable=\"false\">\n <div class=\"insight-grid insight-cols-1\">\n \n <div class=\"insight-card type-quote span-1\" >\n <div class=\"insight-icon\">\u275d<\/div>\n <div class=\"insight-body\">\n <div class=\"insight-title\" >Justice Centus Nweze on Overruling<\/div>\n <div class=\"insight-content\" >This court has powers to overrule itself and can revisit any decision not in accordance with justice.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <div class=\"insight-dashboard card anchored\" contenteditable=\"false\">\n <div class=\"insight-grid insight-cols-1\">\n \n <div class=\"insight-card type-quote span-1\">\n <div class=\"insight-icon\">\u275d<\/div>\n <div class=\"insight-body\">\n <div class=\"insight-title\">Justice Centus Nweze on Overruling<\/div>\n <div class=\"insight-content\">This court has powers to overrule itself and can revisit any decision not in accordance with justice.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n<p>An important dimension of the conflicting judgments crisis is the Supreme Court\u2019s power to overrule its own previous decisions. The Court possesses the power to overrule itself intra-judicially, but there must be arguments and reasons adduced for doing so.<\/p>\n\n<p>Significantly, in a minority judgment in the Imo governorship case (<em>Ihedioha v. Uzodinma<\/em>), Justice Centus Nweze made a historical defense of this power, stating: \u201cThis court has powers to overrule itself and can revisit any decision not in accordance with justice\u201d. Justice Nweze further argued that \u201cthe decision of the Supreme Court will continue to haunt our electoral jurisprudence for a long time to come,\u201d adding that without evidence of meeting other constitutional provisions, the court misled itself in a landmark political case.<\/p>\n\n<p>However, the majority view in that same case, articulated by the then Chief Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, took a more restrictive position: \u201cCertainly, this court has no inherent power to grant what is being sought; it is beyond the powers of this court. There is no constitutional provision for this court to review its own judgment\u201d.<\/p>\n\n<p>This divergence of opinion among the Justices themselves regarding the Supreme Court\u2019s power to revisit its own decisions highlights a fundamental jurisprudential tension that contributes to the problem of conflicting judgments.<\/p>\n\n<h2 id=\"8-consequences-of-conflicting-supreme-court-judgments\">8. Consequences of Conflicting Supreme Court Judgments<\/h2>\n <div class=\"insight-dashboard card anchored\" contenteditable=\"false\">\n <div class=\"insight-grid insight-cols-1\">\n \n <div class=\"insight-card type-highlight span-1\" >\n <div class=\"insight-icon\">\u2727<\/div>\n <div class=\"insight-body\">\n <div class=\"insight-title\" >Executive Disregard<\/div>\n <div class=\"insight-content\" >Conflicting judgments enable executive disregard for judicial authority, as seen when funds were released to the Rivers State Sole Administrator contrary to a Supreme Court ruling.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <div class=\"insight-dashboard card anchored\" contenteditable=\"false\">\n <div class=\"insight-grid insight-cols-1\">\n \n <div class=\"insight-card type-highlight span-1\">\n <div class=\"insight-icon\">\u2727<\/div>\n <div class=\"insight-body\">\n <div class=\"insight-title\">Executive Disregard<\/div>\n <div class=\"insight-content\">Conflicting judgments enable executive disregard for judicial authority, as seen when funds were released to the Rivers State Sole Administrator contrary to a Supreme Court ruling.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n<p>The persistence of conflicting judgments from the highest court carries profound and far-reaching consequences:<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Undermining the finality of the Supreme Court:<\/strong> As one commentator observed, if judgments of the apex court are subject to multiple interpretations by parties, it threatens the very basis of the judicial system. The authority and integrity of the judiciary are eroded when parties treat final court decisions as mere opinions rather than binding mandates.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Perpetuating endless litigation and conflict:<\/strong> If there is no common understanding and acceptance of a final judgment, then there is no end to disputes. The essence of judicial decision is defeated when parties act contrary to the spirit and letter of a ruling.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Eroding public confidence in the judicial process:<\/strong> When the public sees that court decisions do not bring certainty, they may question the relevance of the courts. This undermines the rule of law and fosters a culture of lawlessness and disrespect for judicial authority.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Creating uncertainty for legal practitioners:<\/strong> The NBA President noted that it is becoming increasingly difficult for lawyers to advise clients with certainty on what the law is, particularly in political cases, due to conflicting decisions delivered by courts on similar issues.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Enabling executive disregard for judicial authority:<\/strong> When the Supreme Court\u2019s own decisions are internally inconsistent, it provides cover for the executive arm to pick and choose which judgments to obey, as seen in the Rivers State allocation controversy.<\/p>\n\n<h2 id=\"9-solutions-and-recommendations\">9. Solutions and Recommendations<\/h2>\n\n<p>Addressing the crisis of conflicting Supreme Court judgments requires a multi-pronged approach involving judicial, legislative, and professional reforms.<\/p>\n\n<h3 id=\"9-1-immediate-judicial-reforms\">9.1 Immediate Judicial Reforms<\/h3>\n <div class=\"insight-dashboard card anchored\" contenteditable=\"false\">\n <div class=\"insight-grid insight-cols-1\">\n \n <div class=\"insight-card type-insight span-1\" >\n <div class=\"insight-icon\">\u2727<\/div>\n <div class=\"insight-body\">\n <div class=\"insight-title\" >Harmonization of Decisions<\/div>\n <div class=\"insight-content\" >To resolve the crisis, BOSAN urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria to convene a team to identify conflicting decisions for holistic reappraisal and settlement.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <div class=\"insight-dashboard card anchored\" contenteditable=\"false\">\n <div class=\"insight-grid insight-cols-1\">\n \n <div class=\"insight-card type-insight span-1\">\n <div class=\"insight-icon\">\u2727<\/div>\n <div class=\"insight-body\">\n <div class=\"insight-title\">Harmonization of Decisions<\/div>\n <div class=\"insight-content\">To resolve the crisis, BOSAN urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria to convene a team to identify conflicting decisions for holistic reappraisal and settlement.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n<p><strong>Harmonization of conflicting decisions:<\/strong> BOSAN has urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria to convene a team of justices of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, and leading members of the Bar \u201cto identify these conflicting decisions for a holistic reappraisal and ultimate settlement of the law by the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court in respect of the issues involved\u201d. This proposal should be implemented urgently.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Practice directions on panel hierarchy:<\/strong> Clear rules should be established regarding the authority of panel sizes. A smaller panel must not depart from the decision of a larger panel without express overruling and without providing detailed reasons for such departure. Any departure from prior decisions should be accompanied by a clear identification of the earlier decision being overruled.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Clearer judgment writing:<\/strong> Nigerian courts must recalibrate how judgments are written and delivered. Judgments must not read like riddles; they must not leave room for endless misinterpretation. The Supreme Court should make its judgments more express and unambiguous, and where necessary, provide clear consequential orders to eliminate room for manipulation and mischief by litigants or their legal representatives.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Mandatory affidavit against forum shopping:<\/strong> The Administrator of NJI has proposed that litigants should be required to swear to an affidavit affirming that the same matter brought has not been presented before any other court, with breach amounting to perjury. This measure should be adopted through appropriate Practice Directions.<\/p>\n\n<h3 id=\"9-2-institutional-reforms\">9.2 Institutional Reforms<\/h3>\n\n <div class=\"keynote keynote-best-practice keynote-shape-default\" style=\"\" contenteditable=\"false\">\n <div class=\"keynote-icon\">\u2714<\/div>\n <div class=\"keynote-content\">The creation of a Judicial Precedent Monitoring and Harmonization Unit (JPMHU) is recommended to track and review judicial pronouncements across all courts.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n \n \n\n<p><strong>Creation of a Judicial Precedent Monitoring and Harmonization Unit:<\/strong> A Nigerian don has advocated for the establishment of a Judicial Precedent Monitoring and Harmonization Unit (JPMHU) under the auspices of the National Judicial Council or in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS). Its functions would include tracking, collating, and reviewing judicial pronouncements across all courts, issuing topical briefings on doctrinal developments, recommending that constitutionally relevant matters in conflict of doctrine cases be resolved by larger benches, and advising the Chief Justice of Nigeria on jurisprudential trends requiring clarification.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Central database for ongoing cases:<\/strong> The NJC has been urged to establish a central database or easily searchable platform for judges to share information on ongoing cases, thereby preventing conflicting orders from being issued in ignorance of parallel proceedings.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Strengthening judicial discipline and accountability:<\/strong> The National Judicial Council must enforce the Judicial Code of Conduct strictly, particularly Rule 3(3.5) which provides that \u201ca Judicial Officer must avoid the abuse of the power of issuing interim injunctions, ex parte\u201d. There should be clear consequences attached to a breach of the Judicial Code of Conduct, and judicial appraisals should proactively address evidence of ethical deficits in the work or output of judges.<\/p>\n\n<h3 id=\"9-3-njc-policy-directions\">9.3 NJC Policy Directions<\/h3>\n\n <div class=\"keynote keynote-best-practice keynote-shape-default\" style=\"\" contenteditable=\"false\">\n <div class=\"keynote-icon\">\u2714<\/div>\n <div class=\"keynote-content\">The National Judicial Council (NJC) has issued policy directions to curb conflicting judgments, particularly in political and election-related cases.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n \n \n\n<p>The National Judicial Council has already taken some positive steps. At its 98th meeting, the NJC issued policy directions for political and election-related cases, intended to curb the incidence of conflicting judgments and streamline the filing of such cases. The guidelines designate that all suits to which these Policy Directions apply shall be filed, received, or entertained only at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory if the relief sought may restrain or compel persons or actions beyond the territorial jurisdiction of any one State. These directions take effect from May 11, with further plans for the constitution of a Cross Jurisdiction Litigation Panel (CJLP) to give directions on appropriate litigation for cross-jurisdiction matters.<\/p>\n\n<h3 id=\"9-4-reform-of-judicial-appointments\">9.4 Reform of Judicial Appointments<\/h3>\n\n<p>The NJC must commit explicitly to restoring integrity and merit to judicial appointments through the introduction of transparent processes: advertisement of vacancies, nomination of candidates, interviews, short-listing, and selection. The current criticisms of the appointment process, including allegations of mishandling vacancies and undermining merit-based selection, must be addressed comprehensively.<\/p>\n\n<h3 id=\"9-5-professional-ethics-and-bar-responsibilities\">9.5 Professional Ethics and Bar Responsibilities<\/h3>\n\n<p>Legal practitioners must uphold the highest standards of professional ethics. Lawyers should advise their clients honestly and responsibly, even when the court\u2019s decision is unfavorable. It is unprofessional and dangerous for lawyers to become agents of confusion by spinning judgments to favor their clients\u2019 wishes rather than the truth.<\/p>\n\n<p>The NBA has also called for urgent judicial reforms to address the increasing incidence of conflicting judgments, with the NBA President noting that the problem extends beyond political litigation and has also affected disciplinary proceedings involving legal practitioners. The Bar must be at the forefront of demanding accountability from the Bench.<\/p>\n\n<h3 id=\"9-6-enforcement-of-judicial-decisions\">9.6 Enforcement of Judicial Decisions<\/h3>\n\n<p>Contempt proceedings must be actively pursued against defaulters. Parties who willfully misread or defy court judgments must be held accountable. The courts should not hesitate to invoke their contempt powers to punish conduct that seeks to bring the judiciary into disrepute. The executive arm\u2019s disregard for Supreme Court decisions, as seen in the Rivers State matter, must be met with the full force of contempt sanctions.<\/p>\n\n<h3 id=\"9-7-legislative-interventions\">9.7 Legislative Interventions<\/h3>\n\n<p>The National Assembly has a role to play in addressing this crisis. The Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) has committed to presenting the outcomes of judicial reform dialogues to the National Assembly for the enactment of necessary laws and policies. Legislative measures could include clarifying the Supreme Court\u2019s powers of judicial review of its own decisions, establishing statutory mechanisms for the harmonization of conflicting precedents, and strengthening the NJC\u2019s disciplinary powers over errant judges.<\/p>\n\n<h2 id=\"10-conclusion\">10. Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n<p>Conflicting judgments from the Supreme Court represent a crisis of confidence in Nigeria\u2019s judicial system. The phenomenon undermines legal certainty, erodes public trust, encourages forum shopping, and provides cover for executive disregard of judicial authority. While some degree of interpretive divergence is inevitable in any judicial system, and may even contribute to legal development, the persistence of irreconcilable decisions from the apex court is unacceptable.<\/p>\n\n<p>The judiciary remains the last hope of the common man. If the sanctity of its decisions is not preserved and enforced, the very fabric of Nigeria\u2019s democratic governance will be at risk. The solutions proposed in this article, from immediate harmonization of conflicting decisions to institutional reforms, from enhanced judicial discipline to professional accountability, offer a comprehensive roadmap for restoring integrity and consistency to Nigeria\u2019s highest court. The Chief Justice of Nigeria, the National Judicial Council, the Nigerian Bar Association, and the National Assembly must act with urgency and determination to address this crisis. The rule of law demands no less.<\/p>\n\n<h2 id=\"references\">References<\/h2>\n\n<h3 id=\"cases\">Cases<\/h3>\n<ol>\n <li><em>Adegoke Motors Ltd. v. Adesanya<\/em> (1989) 3 NWLR (Pt.109) 250<\/li>\n <li><em>Adesokan v. Adetunji<\/em> (1994) 5 NWLR (Pt.346) 540<\/li>\n <li><em>Attorney-General of Abia State & Others v. Attorney-General of the Federation<\/em> (2006), Supreme Court<\/li>\n <li><em>Attorney-General of Ogun State v. Attorney-General of the Federation<\/em> (2002), Supreme Court<\/li>\n <li><em>Attorney-General of Ogun State v. Dr. Egenri<\/em> (1986) 3 NWLR (Pt.28) 265<\/li>\n <li><em>Cassel and Co. Ltd. v. Broome<\/em> (1972) 2 WLR 645 (House of Lords)<\/li>\n <li><em>Charles Udogwu Onyekweli v. Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)<\/em> (2009) 6 NWLR (Pt.1136) 13<\/li>\n <li><em>Din v. Attorney-General of the Federation<\/em> (1986) 1 NWLR (Pt.17) 471<\/li>\n <li><em>Emma Elegbe & Anor v. HP International Schools Limited & 3 Ors<\/em> (2026), Supreme Court<\/li>\n <li><em>FBN v. Maiwada<\/em>, Supreme Court<\/li>\n <li><em>Igwe v. Kalu<\/em> (2002) 14 NWLR (Pt.787) 435<\/li>\n <li><em>Ihedioha v. Uzodinma<\/em> (2020), Supreme Court<\/li>\n <li><em>Menakaya v. Ezim<\/em> (2025), Supreme Court<\/li>\n <li><em>Mene Okotie v. Pan Ocean Oil Corporation<\/em> (2025), Supreme Court<\/li>\n <li><em>Nigeria Air Force v. James<\/em> (2002) 18 NWLR (Pt.748)<\/li>\n <li><em>Odi v. Osafile<\/em> (1985) 1 NWLR (Pt.1) 17<\/li>\n <li><em>Okafor v. Nweke<\/em> (2007) 10 NWLR (Pt.1021)<\/li>\n <li><em>Olowe v. Aluko<\/em> (2025), Supreme Court<\/li>\n <li><em>Oloriode v. Oyebi<\/em>, Supreme Court<\/li>\n <li><em>R. v. Medical Appeal Tribunal Ex parte Gilmore<\/em> (1957) 1 QB 574<\/li>\n <li><em>Rossek v. African Continental Bank Ltd.<\/em> (1993) 8 NWLR (Pt.312) 382<\/li>\n <li><em>Sodeinde Bros. Ltd v. ACB Ltd<\/em>, Supreme Court<\/li>\n <li><em>Tsamiya v. Bauchi Native Authority<\/em> (1957) NRNLR 72<\/li>\n <li><em>Umaru v. Aliyu<\/em> (2010) All FWLR (Pt.508) 321<\/li>\n <li><em>Yusuff v. Dada<\/em> (1990) 4 NWLR (Pt.146) 657<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n<h2 id=\"statutes\">Statutes<\/h2>\n<ol>\n <li>Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended)<\/li>\n <li>Monitoring of Allocation to Local Governments Act, 2005<\/li>\n <li>National Industrial Court Act, 2006<\/li>\n <li>Judicial Code of Conduct (NJC)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n<h2 id=\"official-documents-institutional-materials\">Official Documents\/Institutional Materials<\/h2>\n<ol>\n <li>National Judicial Council, \u201cJudicial Code of Conduct\u201d<\/li>\n <li>National Judicial Council, \u201cPolicy Directions for Political and Election Related Cases\u201d (98th Meeting)<\/li>\n <li>National Judicial Council, \u201cProcedural Rules for Judicial Appointments\u201d<\/li>\n <li>Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN), Address at the 2025\/2026 Supreme Court Legal Year Ceremony (September 2025)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n<h2 id=\"news-media-reports\">News\/Media Reports<\/h2>\n<ol>\n <li>\u201cConflicting judgements: SANs tackle Supreme Court, as CJN pledges reforms\u201d, <em>Vanguard<\/em> (September 30, 2025)<\/li>\n <li>\u201cConflicting court orders: Plague of Nigeria\u2019s justice system that won\u2019t go away\u201d, <em>Nigerian Tribune<\/em> (November 23, 2025)<\/li>\n <li>\u201cLawyers disagree with FG over S\u2019Court Judgement ruling\u201d, <em>New Telegraph<\/em> (March 30, 2025)<\/li>\n <li>\u201cTHE DANGEROUS TREND OF MISINTERPRETING SUPREME COURT JUDGEMENTS IN NIGERIA: A CALL FOR URGENT SANITY\u201d, <em>Newswatch<\/em> (April 30, 2025)<\/li>\n <li>\u201cConflicting Judgments: NBA President Demands Urgent Judicial Reforms to Restore Certainty in Nigeria\u2019s Legal System\u201d, <em>NBA Blog<\/em> (May 9, 2026)<\/li>\n <li>\u201cDon Advocates Special Unit To Address Divergence In Judicial Pronouncements\u201d, <em>News Agency of Nigeria<\/em> (June 3, 2025)<\/li>\n <li>\u201cPDP convention: Conflicting judgments, orders not judicial failure, says NJI\u201d, <em>The Eagle Online<\/em> (November 13, 2025)<\/li>\n <li>\u201cLG Autonomy: Why Supreme Court Must Reverse Itself (2)\u201d, <em>Independent<\/em> (August 14, 2025)<\/li>\n <li>\u201cAn agenda for the new CJN\u201d, <em>TheCable<\/em> (August 25, 2024)<\/li>\n <li>\u201cNJC introduces measures to curb conflicting judgments in political, election cases\u201d, <em>Of Counsel Nigeria<\/em> (March 17, 2026)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n<h2 id=\"academic-scholarly-sources\">Academic\/Scholarly Sources<\/h2>\n<ol>\n <li>Essien, Enefiok, \u201cConflicting Rationes Decidendi: The Dilemma of the Lower Courts in Nigeria\u201d (2000) 12(1) <em>African Journal of International and Comparative Law<\/em> 23\u201330<\/li>\n <li>Oyawole, Damilola Obanijesu, \u201cCogitations on the Doctrine of Stare Decisis in Nigeria\u201d, <em>The Loyal Nigerian Lawyer<\/em> (November 30, 2020)<\/li>\n <li>\u201cApplicability of the doctrine of judicial precedent in Nigeria: the case of Ibrahim V judicial service commission, Kaduna State & another in focus\u201d, <em>Journal of NIALS<\/em> (December 31, 2023)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n \n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n <div class=\"disclaimer-box\" contenteditable=\"false\">\n <strong>Disclaimer:<\/strong> The information provided in this document is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice.\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/article>\n <\/div>\n \n \n<\/body>\n<\/html>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Conflicting Supreme Court Judgments in Nigeria: Anatomy of a Judicial Crisis Abstract The Supreme Court of Nigeria stands as the apex judicial body, constitutionally empowered as the final court of appeal whose decisions are binding on all authorities and persons throughout the federation. Yet in recent years, a troubling phenomenon has emerged with increasing frequency: conflicting judgments emanating from the Supreme Court itself, as well as divergent interpretations of its decisions by lower courts, litigants, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":990982,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-990981","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/1stattorneys.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/supreme_court_of_nigeria_202605121343.jpeg",1376,768,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/1stattorneys.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/supreme_court_of_nigeria_202605121343-150x150.jpeg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/1stattorneys.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/supreme_court_of_nigeria_202605121343-300x167.jpeg",300,167,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/1stattorneys.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/supreme_court_of_nigeria_202605121343-768x429.jpeg",640,358,true],"large":["https:\/\/1stattorneys.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/supreme_court_of_nigeria_202605121343-1024x572.jpeg",640,358,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/1stattorneys.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/supreme_court_of_nigeria_202605121343.jpeg",1376,768,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/1stattorneys.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/supreme_court_of_nigeria_202605121343.jpeg",1376,768,false],"azure-news-block-medium":["https:\/\/1stattorneys.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/supreme_court_of_nigeria_202605121343-660x470.jpeg",660,470,true],"azure-news-banner":["https:\/\/1stattorneys.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/supreme_court_of_nigeria_202605121343-860x630.jpeg",860,630,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"1st Attormeys","author_link":"https:\/\/1stattorneys.com\/articles\/author\/admin\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Conflicting Supreme Court Judgments in Nigeria: Anatomy of a Judicial Crisis Abstract The Supreme Court of Nigeria stands as the apex judicial body, constitutionally empowered as the final court of appeal whose decisions are binding on all authorities and persons throughout the federation. Yet in recent years, a troubling phenomenon has emerged with increasing frequency:…","rttpg_featured_image_url":{"full":["https:\/\/1stattorneys.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/supreme_court_of_nigeria_202605121343.jpeg",1376,768,false],"landscape":["https:\/\/1stattorneys.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/supreme_court_of_nigeria_202605121343.jpeg",1376,768,false],"portraits":["https:\/\/1stattorneys.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/supreme_court_of_nigeria_202605121343.jpeg",1376,768,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/1stattorneys.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/supreme_court_of_nigeria_202605121343-150x150.jpeg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/1stattorneys.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/supreme_court_of_nigeria_202605121343-300x167.jpeg",300,167,true],"large":["https:\/\/1stattorneys.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/supreme_court_of_nigeria_202605121343-1024x572.jpeg",640,358,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/1stattorneys.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/supreme_court_of_nigeria_202605121343.jpeg",1376,768,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/1stattorneys.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/supreme_court_of_nigeria_202605121343.jpeg",1376,768,false],"azure-news-block-medium":["https:\/\/1stattorneys.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/supreme_court_of_nigeria_202605121343-660x470.jpeg",660,470,true],"azure-news-banner":["https:\/\/1stattorneys.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/supreme_court_of_nigeria_202605121343-860x630.jpeg",860,630,true]},"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"1st Attormeys","author_link":"https:\/\/1stattorneys.com\/articles\/author\/admin\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":"<a href=\"https:\/\/1stattorneys.com\/articles\/category\/practice-commentary\/general\/\" rel=\"category tag\">General<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"Conflicting Supreme Court Judgments in Nigeria: Anatomy of a Judicial Crisis Abstract The Supreme Court of Nigeria stands as the apex judicial body, constitutionally empowered as the final court of appeal whose decisions are binding on all authorities and persons throughout the federation. Yet in recent years, a troubling phenomenon has emerged with increasing frequency:…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/1stattorneys.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/990981","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/1stattorneys.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/1stattorneys.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/1stattorneys.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/1stattorneys.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=990981"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/1stattorneys.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/990981\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":990985,"href":"https:\/\/1stattorneys.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/990981\/revisions\/990985"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/1stattorneys.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/990982"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/1stattorneys.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=990981"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/1stattorneys.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=990981"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/1stattorneys.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=990981"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}