LunagisthubPresident Tinubu Seeks to Increase Number of Judges in Federal High Court and Court of Appeal
In a bid to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the judiciary, President Bola Tinubu has written to the Senate seeking amendments to the Federal High Court Act and the Court of Appeal Act. The proposed amendments aim to increase the number of judges in the Federal High Court from 70 to 90 and the number of justices in the Court of Appeal from 70 to 110 .
According to President Tinubu, the proposed increase in the number of judges is necessary due to the expanding responsibilities of the court, particularly in areas such as terrorism-related offences, transnational organised crimes, and other matters touching directly on national security. The President believes that increasing the number of judges will significantly improve the judge-to-case ratio and enhance the speed and quality of adjudication .
The proposed amendments are expected to have several benefits, including:
Improved Efficiency:The increase in the number of judges will enable the courts to handle more cases, reducing the backlog and delays in the administration of justice.
Enhanced Specialization: The proposed amendments will allow for greater judicial specialization in technically demanding areas such as terrorism, financial crimes, taxation, intellectual property, and maritime law.
Modernization of Court Proceedings: The proposed amendments will also introduce virtual hearings, which will improve access to justice and reduce the need for physical appearances in court .
The proposed amendments to the Federal High Court Act and the Court of Appeal Act are a step in the right direction towards improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the judiciary. If passed, the amendments will enable the courts to handle more cases, reduce delays, and improve access to justice. The Senate Committee on Rules and Business has been tasked with further legislative action on the bills .
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