LEGAL PRINCIPLE: JURISDICTION — Nullity — Proceedings without jurisdiction — Entire proceedings null and void
PRINCIPLE STATEMENT
Since the Federal High Court had no jurisdiction to entertain the matter ab initio, its decision and that of the Court of Appeal thereon are also a nullity and are hereby set aside.
RATIO DECIDENDI (SOURCE)
Per Kalgo, JSC, in Ayman Enterprises Limited v. Akuma Industries Limited (2003) NLC-1161999(SC) at p. 18; Paras B–D.
"Since the Federal High Court has no jurisdiction to entertain the matter ab initio its decision and that of the Court of Appeal thereon are also a nullity and are hereby set aside."
EXPLANATION / SCOPE
Proceedings without jurisdiction are nullities. The principle applies to all courts. The nullity extends to appellate decisions. The rule is fundamental. The court will set aside such decisions. The principle is well-established.