Section 270(1) CFRN, 1999 creates a High Court for each state and section 255(1) CFRN, 1999 create the High Court of the FCT.
Composition of States High Court – a chief judge and such number of judges as prescribed by law of the House of Assembly of that state or Act of National Assembly for FCT.
Constitution of States High Court – at least one judge of the court. If the state high court is more than one judge then all the judges must be judge of the state high court. This is the decision of Oloriegbe v. Omotosho.
Appointment to State High Courts – chief judge is appointed by the governor on recommendation of NJC and confirmation by the House of Assembly of the state. For other judges, no need of confirmation by House of Assembly – section 271(1)(a) & (b) CFRN 1999.
Qualification to State High Court – at least 10 years at bar.
Jurisdiction – subject to section 251, 254 of the third alteration of the CFRN, 1999. The National Industrial Court and Federal High Court are courts of enumerated jurisdiction. Thus once a matter is not within the jurisdiction of the state high court. Despite the restriction on the jurisdiction of the state, it is still the court with largest jurisdiction. Once jurisdiction given to other court is not specify to be exclusive, it share concurrent jurisdiction with such court. Original jurisdiction relate to wills, title to land inter alia. It has appellate jurisdiction to hear matter from the Magistrate (south) or District (north) and supervisory jurisdiction over Customary and Area courts.