(b) for the disqualification of any persons from holding public office on the ground that he knowingly aids or
abets a political party in contravening section 225(3) of this Constitution;
(c) for an annual grant to the Independent National Electoral Commission for disbursement to political parties on
a fair and equitable basis to assist them in the discharge of their functions; and
(d) for the conferment on the Commission of other powers as may appear to the National Assembly to be
necessary or desirable for the purpose of enabling the Commission more effectively to ensure that political
parties observe the provisions of this part of this chapter.
229. In this Part of this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires "association" means any body of persons corporate or unincorporate who agree to act together for any
commission purpose, and includes an association formed for any ethnic, social, cultural, occupational religious
purpose; and
"political party" includes any association whose activities include canvassing for votes in support of a candidate
for election to the office of President, Vice-President, Governor, Deputy Governor or membership of a
legislative house or of a local government council.
Chapter VII
The Judicature
Part I
Federal Courts
A - The Supreme Court of Nigeria
230. (1) There shall be a Supreme Court of Nigeria.
(2) The Supreme Court of Nigeria shall consist of (a) the Chief Justice of Nigeria; and
(b) such number of Justices of the Supreme Court, not exceeding twenty-one, as may be prescribed by an Act of
the National Assembly.
231. (1) The appointment of a person to the office of Chief Justice of Nigeria shall be made by the President on
the recommendation of the National Judicial Council subject to confirmation of such appointment by the Senate.
(2) The appointment of a person to the office of a Justice of the Supreme Court shall be made by the President on
the National Judicial Council subject to confirmation of such appointment by the senate.
(3) A person shall not be qualified to hold the office of Chief Justice of Nigeria or a Justice of the Supreme
Court, unless he is qualified to practice as a legal practitioner in Nigeria and has been so qualified for a period of
not less than fifteen years.
(4) If the office of Chief Justice of Nigeria is vacant or if the person holding the office is for any reason unable to
perform the functions of the office, then until a person has been appointed to and has assumed the functions of
that office, or until the person holding has resumed those functions, the President shall appoint the most senior
Justice of the Supreme Court to perform those functions.
(5) Except on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council, an appointment pursuant to the provisions of
subsection (4) of this section shall cease to have effect after the expiration of three months from the date of such
appointment, and the President shall not re-appointment a person whose appointment has lapsed.
232. (1) The Supreme Court shall, to the exclusion of any other court, have original jurisdiction in any dispute
between the Federation and a state or between states if and in so far as that dispute involves any question
(whether of law or fact) on which the existence or extent of a legal right depends.