A bill proposing an increase in the number of High Court judges in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from 70 to 100 has passed its second reading in the House of Representatives.
The bill, co-sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Babajimi Benson, Akin Rotimi, and five other lawmakers, seeks to amend the current law governing the FCT High Court to address the growing demand for judicial capacity. It aims to amend Section 1 of the existing Act, raising the maximum number of judges to 100, thereby enhancing the court's ability to handle its increasing workload.
During Thursday's plenary session on November 21, Jonathan Gbefwi, one of the co-sponsors, highlighted the pressing need for the amendment. He noted that at the start of the 2022/2023 legal year, the FCT High Court carried over 12,513 pending cases, in addition to 5,952 new cases, creating a significant backlog and overwhelming judicial resources.
Gbefwi emphasized that the existing limit of 70 judges, established through a 2016 amendment, is inadequate to address the rising volume and complexity of cases, compounded by Abuja’s rapid population growth and economic expansion.
“The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja is a cornerstone of Nigeria’s judicial system, not only serving the residents of Abuja but also handling cases of national importance,” he stated. “However, its limited number of judges hampers its ability to deliver timely justice, creating backlogs that will only grow without intervention.”
He further explained that increasing the number of judges would ensure better access to justice and reduce delays caused by the growing caseload.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas put the bill to a voice vote, which was approved, advancing it to the next stage of legislative consideration.
If passed into law, the amendment is expected to significantly improve judicial efficiency in the FCT, addressing both current challenges and future demands.
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