Distinction between the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court and State High Court

"The matters of jurisdiction in our courts, is generally, approached from three dimensions: territorial, subject matter and jurisdiction on persons.

On territorial jurisdiction, the Federal High Court enjoys nationwide jurisdiction whereas a State High Court is confined to the territory of the State and that of the Federal Capital Territory to the Federal Capital Territory.

On subject matter jurisdiction, the High Court of a State, by the provision of Section 236 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, enjoys unlimited jurisdiction. The Federal High Court has limited jurisdiction or jurisdiction on some enumerated subject matters.

A State High Court has jurisdiction mostly over natural persons. Federal High Court has jurisdiction over both natural and artificial persons."

Per MUHAMMAD, J.S.C in ADETONA v IGELE GENERAL ENTERPRISES LTD. [2011] 7 NWLR (PT. 1247) 535