Lawmakers Say Proposal Will Reduce Case Backlogs, Speed Up Justice Delivery and Strengthen Nigeria’s Courts…
The Senate has taken a significant step toward strengthening Nigeria’s judicial system by advancing two key bills aimed at increasing the number of judges in the country’s superior courts.
The proposed legislation, which passed second reading during Wednesday’s plenary session, seeks to raise the number of judges of the Federal High Court from 70 to 90 and increase the number of Justices of the Court of Appeal from 70 to 110.
Leading the debate, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, the sponsor of the bills, said the reforms were designed to address mounting case loads and improve the efficiency of the justice system.
According to him, a functional democracy depends on a judiciary capable of delivering timely and effective judgments, stressing that courts must be equipped with adequate personnel and resources to fulfil their constitutional responsibilities.
Bamidele noted that the Court of Appeal plays a crucial role within Nigeria’s judicial structure, serving as the bridge between trial courts and the Supreme Court. He argued that the increasing volume and complexity of appeals before the court have made the proposed expansion necessary.
The bill seeking to amend the Court of Appeal Act 2004 proposes an increase in the number of justices from 70 to 110. It also aims to promote broader representation of states and the Federal Capital Territory within the appellate court, provide clarity on issues relating to seniority among justices, strengthen administrative operations and enhance the overall efficiency of appellate proceedings.
On the Federal High Court, the Senate Leader said expanding the bench would help tackle the growing backlog of cases while improving access to justice through faster hearings and judgments.
He added that the move would also support the prosecution of corruption and financial crime cases, boost investor confidence through quicker resolution of commercial disputes and improve adjudication in specialised sectors such as banking, telecommunications, aviation, maritime affairs and intellectual property.
The proposals received widespread support from lawmakers during the debate, with no senator opposing their advancement.
Following their successful second reading, the Senate referred the consolidated bills to the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for further scrutiny and legislative work.
The committee has been given four weeks to review the bills and submit its report to the Senate for consideration.
