LEGAL PRINCIPLE: JURISDICTION – High Court Jurisdiction – High Court Has Jurisdiction over Issues Properly Joined and Determined
PRINCIPLE STATEMENT
The High Court has jurisdiction to adjudicate on an issue that is properly joined by the parties, evidence is led on it, and a decision is made on it.
RATIO DECIDENDI (SOURCE)
Per Ogwuegbu, JSC, in Adedayo v. Babalola (1995) NLC-1901991(SC) at pp. 17–18; Paras A–C.
"Finally, the High Court of Kwara State had jurisdiction to adjudicate on the issue whether Agbonbifa family is a ruling family for Elesie Chieftaincy because that issue was properly joined by the parties, evidence was led on it and a decision was also made on it."
EXPLANATION / SCOPE
Jurisdiction is determined by the nature of the claim, not by the court’s subsequent findings. Once an issue is properly joined and evidence is led, the court has jurisdiction to decide it. The principle applies to all courts. The court cannot decline jurisdiction after the issue has been fully litigated. The rule prevents parties from raising jurisdictional objections after an adverse decision. The court must have subject-matter jurisdiction at the outset. The principle promotes judicial efficiency. The party challenging jurisdiction must do so at the earliest opportunity.