CUSTOMARY COURT OF APPEAL OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA (JURISDICTION ON CHIEFTANCY MATTERS) ACT, 2011
Act · Governance
Policy date: 2011-01-01
An Act grants the Customary Court of Appeal in Abuja jurisdiction over chieftaincy disputes in the Federal Capital Territory. It targets parties involved in traditional leadership conflicts. This ensures resolution through customary law principles.
CUSTOMARY COURT OF APPEAL OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA (JURISDICTION ON CHIEFTANCY MATTERS) ACT, 2011
What Is This Policy?
An Act that confers jurisdiction on the Customary Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory to hear and determine appeals in chieftaincy matters arising from the FCT.
Who Does It Target?
Chieftaincy dispute parties in the FCT Traditional institutions and royal families in Abuja The Customary Court of Appeal and its judges FCT Administration handling chieftaincy affairs
What Does It Aim to Achieve?
Provide a specialised appellate forum for resolving chieftaincy disputes in the FCT through customary law principles, ensuring respect for traditional institutions while maintaining judicial oversight.
Key Features
Specialised Jurisdiction: Grants the Customary Court of Appeal specific and exclusive jurisdiction over FCT chieftaincy appeals. Customary Law Application: The Court applies relevant customary law and traditions in determining chieftaincy succession disputes. Appellate Structure: Decisions of lower customary courts in chieftaincy matters may be appealed to this Court before proceeding to the Court of Appeal. Finality Provisions: Sets out the extent to which decisions are binding and the further appellate route available.
Current Status
Rollout Stage: Active Coverage: Federal Capital Territory, Abuja Beneficiaries: Traditional rulers, royal families, and communities in the FCT Funding: Federal Judiciary budget
How to Access
Filing an appeal within the prescribed time limit Payment of applicable court fees Service of the notice of appeal on all parties Application method: File appeal at the Customary Court of Appeal Registry, FCT, Abuja.
Important Terms
Appeals must be filed within the statutory time limit from the lower court's decision Only parties to the chieftaincy dispute have standing to appeal Customary law applied must be that of the relevant FCT community
Official Resources
Website: https://www.fcta.gov.ng Contact: Customary Court of Appeal, Federal Capital Territory
Legal Framework
The Customary Court of Appeal FCT (Chieftaincy Jurisdiction) Act 2011 derives authority from Section 295 of the 1999 Constitution (Customary Court of Appeal for the FCT) and the FCT Customary Court of Appeal Act. It operates alongside the Chieftaincy and Native Authority Act applicable in the FCT, the FCT Administration Act, and the High Court of the FCT (Civil Procedure) Rules for appellate procedure.