LEGAL PRINCIPLE: APPELLATE PRACTICE — Finality of Judgment — Finality of Supreme Court Decisions — Constitutional Infallibility
PRINCIPLE STATEMENT
The finality of the decisions of the Supreme Court in civil proceedings is absolute unless specifically set aside by later legislation. The justices are fallible, but their judgments are, as the Constitution intends, infallible.
RATIO DECIDENDI (SOURCE)
Per Uwais, JSC, in Adigun v. Governor of Osun State (1995) NLC-1681992(SC) at p. 24; Paras. B–C.
"The finality of the decisions of the Supreme Court in civil proceedings is absolute unless specifically set aside by a later legislation. The justices that man the Court are of course fallible but their judgments are, as the Constitution intends, infallible. Therefore any ingenious attempt by counsel to set aside or circumvent the decision of the Supreme Court will be met with stiff resistance."
EXPLANATION / SCOPE
Supreme Court decisions are final and binding. No appeal lies from them. The Constitution grants finality to ensure an end to litigation. The principle applies to civil proceedings. The court will not entertain applications that seek to relitigate decided matters. The only exceptions are limited to judgments obtained by fraud or nullity. The rule promotes finality and judicial efficiency. Counsel cannot circumvent Supreme Court decisions through ingenious arguments. The court will resist attempts to challenge final judgments.