The Senate on Wednesday passed for second reading two critical judicial reform bills seeking to expand the strength of judges and justices in the Federal High Court and Court of Appeal respectively as part of efforts to decongest courts and accelerate justice delivery across the country.
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The bills propose an increase in the number of judges of the Federal High Court from 70 to 90 and a rise in the number of justices of the Court of Appeal from 70 to 110.
Leading debate on the Federal High Court (Amendment) Bill, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said the measure would reduce the backlog of cases and strengthen the court’s ability to handle complex matters involving anti-corruption, financial crimes, banking, telecommunications, aviation and maritime sectors.
He said the reforms had become necessary due to growing case loads, prolonged delays in adjudication and the need to improve investor confidence in Nigeria’s economy.
He said: “The bill seeks to reduce the backlog of pending cases across the various judicial divisions of the court.”
According to him, the amendment would improve access to justice by ensuring timely hearing and determination of cases.
He added: “It will enhance the effectiveness of anti-corruption and financial crime prosecutions, which are predominantly handled by the Federal High Court.”
He also argued that the reform would strengthen investor confidence by facilitating quicker resolution of commercial disputes.
Describing the proposal as more than a routine administrative measure, he said: “The proposed increase under this bill is not merely an administrative adjustment; it is a strategic intervention aimed at strengthening the capacity of the Federal High Court.”
Speaking in support of the bill, former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Human Rights, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno (Borno North), said the need for additional judges had been canvassed for years.
Monguno said: “The Federal High Court has consistently clamoured for an increase in the number of judges presiding over its various jurisdictions.”
He added: “Justice delayed is justice denied, and justice should not only be done but should be seen manifestly to be done.”
According to him, increasing the number of judges would help bring justice closer to Nigerians and ensure faster dispensation of cases.
The Senate also considered the Court of Appeal (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to raise the number of justices from 70 to 110 and introduce far-reaching reforms aimed at modernising appellate adjudication.
Presenting the bill, Bamidele described the Court of Appeal as a strategic institution whose capacity had failed to keep pace with increasing litigation arising from economic activities, electoral disputes and constitutional matters.
He said: “Over the years, the Court of Appeal has experienced a significant increase in its workload arising from population growth, expansion of economic activities, increasing electoral disputes, constitutional litigation and commercial transactions.”
According to him, the bill seeks to ensure equitable representation of all states and the Federal Capital Territory on the bench, strengthen administrative efficiency and improve appellate adjudication.
Bamidele said: “The bill seeks to increase the number of justices of the Court of Appeal from 70 to 110.”
A major feature of the proposal is the introduction of virtual proceedings and digital court operations.
He explained: “One of the salient provisions of this bill is the introduction of virtual court proceedings, which many jurisdictions across the world have institutionalised because of their effectiveness and expediency.”
He added that the amendment would empower the court to conduct proceedings electronically in line with global technological trends.
The bill also proposes the establishment of an Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre within the Court of Appeal to encourage amicable settlement of disputes and reduce court congestion.
Supporting the proposal, Senator Osita Izunaso (Imo West) said the increasing workload of the Court of Appeal justified the expansion.
He said: “Considering the workload before the Court of Appeal, there is a compelling need to increase the number of justices.”
Izunaso noted that electoral laws had vested the appellate court with original jurisdiction in some election matters, further increasing its responsibilities.
He added: “This will increase the court’s output and strengthen public confidence in the judiciary.”
Following overwhelming support from lawmakers, both bills were passed for second reading and referred to the relevant Senate Committee Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for further legislative work and to report back to plenary in four weeks.
In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the measures as landmark interventions that would transform justice administration in the country.
Akpabio said: “These bills will help our judicial system in the dispensation of justice and ensure that we decongest the courts as quickly as possible.”
He added: “The decision we are taking today will help to decongest the courts and also help the common man.”
The Senate President stressed that faster justice delivery would improve Nigeria’s investment climate.
According to him: “Nigeria is not a very attractive destination for some investors and shippers because of delays in the dispensation of justice. All that will change with what we have done today.”
Akpabio expressed confidence that the expansion of the Federal High Court and Court of Appeal would bring justice closer to citizens.
He said: “When these courts are expanded across the nation, justice will be brought to the doorsteps of every Nigerian.”
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