•Asks senate to increase number of high courts The Chief Judge of the High Court, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Justice Ishaq Bello, on Tuesday, asked the senate to immediately increase the number of High Courts in the territory from 37 to 75 to help reduce the over 1,500 pending cases in the courts. Speaking during a public hearing on a bill seeking to increase the number of judges in the FCT High Courts, the CJ said that the bill was necessary following the astronomical growth in population of people in FCT. The public hearing, was organised by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters ,following the referral of the bill to it for further legislative action. The CJ said that the territory is suffering from effect of population growth in the FCT, adding that this has led to the increase in the number of cases pending in high court. Bello noted that between 2003 and 2016, “the public that expects the services of the court in the FCT is on the increase hence, the need to ask for more hands for speedy dispensation of cases.” He noted that though, 37 judges were approved for FCT High Courts, only 36 judges are currently operating, lamenting that judges on ground are being overstretched. He said: “It has become necessary to give the true picture of things so that you can understand. I, therefore, crave your indulgence and pray that you will be so moved to consider the bill in our favour. “Seeing the torment judges go through, I decided to take up the challenge to ask for more judges. It is not open for any court to decide on its own without resort to the National Assembly.” Representatives of the National Industrial Court, Nigeria Law Reform Commission and National Judicial Institute who also attended the hearing supported the bill. A representative of the National Industrial Court said at the end of the legal year 2011, a total of 9,083 cases were pending in FCT High Courts. The Chairman of the Committee, Senator David Umaru, said that the purpose of the hearing was basically to obtain the view of stakeholders on the Bill. Senator Umaru underscored the need for speedy hearing of cases in court and assured that the Senate will do the needful to work on the Bill.]]>