ABSTRACT
A number of countries in Africa adopted some form of federalism as an institutional response to the concentration of power in a single governmental actor and communal tensions, as well as a tool of internal conflict resolution. From a comparative point of view, it is also interesting that Kenya has Kadhi courts applying Muslim law. The National Judicial Council has a comparatively strong role regarding appointment processes, and this role is bolstered, as Ukata emphasizes, by its influence on the formulation of policies regarding the judiciary and its commitment to combat corruption. Local governments in Nigeria have also benefited from decisions of the Supreme Court. The Federal Supreme Court is the ultimate body that can decide not only on the meaning of federal law but also of state law. The Constitutional Court has also played an important role in maintaining the autonomy of local government, more generally in view of the ‘volume and details of national regulation of local government.’
