The question of jurisdiction is one of the most fundamental issues in legal practice. It determines not just where a case is heard, but whether it can be heard at all. Yet, despite its importance, misconceptions around jurisdiction have persisted in Nigerian legal discourse for decades.
A new book, Civil Jurisdiction of Courts in Nigeria by Lawrence Ochulor and Isdore Ozuo, offers a bold and deeply researched re-examination of this critical area of law.
At the heart of the book is a provocative but carefully argued position: that Madukolu v Nkemdilim, long treated as the leading authority on jurisdiction, may not in fact be an authority on jurisdiction in the way it is commonly understood. This assertion alone makes the book a significant contribution to ongoing legal conversations in Nigeria.
Drawing from extensive research, the authors methodically challenge entrenched assumptions and provide fresh clarity on what jurisdiction truly entails. They make important conceptual distinctions—particularly between competence and jurisdiction, and between jurisdiction itself and the exercise of jurisdiction. These distinctions are not merely academic; they have practical implications for litigation strategy, judicial reasoning, and the administration of justice.
Beyond theory, the book serves as a comprehensive guide to the civil jurisdiction of all superior courts of record in Nigeria. It walks readers through the structure and scope of these courts, while also engaging with contentious flashpoints that frequently arise in practice.
Whether you are a judge, legal practitioner, academic, or law student, this book is an essential resource. It equips readers with the tools to properly analyze, challenge, and defend issues of jurisdiction—an area where precision can make or break a case.
Published by LexisNexis, this work stands as a valuable addition to Nigeria’s legal literature and a necessary read for anyone serious about mastering civil procedure.
Now available on the Legalnaija Bookstore.