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ABUJA – A new legislative proposal, titled “A Bill for an Act to Amend the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja (Number of Judges) Cap H6, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, has been introduced in the House of Representatives.
The bill, which is targeted to address the growing judicial needs in Abuja, seeks to increase the number of judges in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The bill is sponsored by a group of lawmakers, including the Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu; Rep. Babajimi Benson; Rep. Akin Rotimi; and five other members of the House of Representatives.
The proposed amendment is designed to ensure more efficient handling of cases, improving the capacity of the court to meet the demands of justice in the nation’s capital.
During the debate on the general principles of the Bill, Rep. Jonathan Gbefwi, one of the co-sponsors, emphasized that the Bill aims to address a critical issue affecting the judiciary’s ability to deliver timely justice. Specifically, it seeks to increase the number of judges in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, from the current maximum of seventy to a minimum of one hundred judges.
Hon. Gbefwi stated that the High Court of the FCT is a key pillar in Nigeria’s judicial system. Serving not only the residents of Abuja, the court also plays a significant role in handling cases of national importance.
He recalled that at the beginning of the 2022/2023 legal year, the FCT High Court faced a significant backlog, carrying forward 12,513 pending cases from the previous year. During this period, an additional 5,952 new cases were assigned to the court, further exacerbating the strain on its already limited judicial resources. This growing caseload highlights the increasing pressure on the court’s ability to effectively manage and deliver justice in a timely manner.
The lawmaker noted that the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is currently constrained by a limited number of judges, a situation that hampers its ability to effectively handle the growing volume and complexity of cases.
He expressed hope that increasing the number of judges would significantly reduce delays in case resolution, thereby ensuring a more efficient judicial process. This, he believes, will enhance public confidence in the judiciary and improve overall access to justice.
He said, “The Bill, which was presented for its first reading on Tuesday, 23rd July 2024, aims to address a critical issue in our judiciary’s capacity to deliver timely justice. It seeks to increase the number of judges in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The High Court of the FCT is a cornerstone of Nigeria’s judicial system, not only serving the residents of Abuja but also playing a pivotal role in handling cases of national significance. However, the court’s current judicial capacity is inadequate, given the rising complexity and volume of cases it faces. With a limited number of judges, the court struggles to manage its increasing caseload, resulting in a significant backlog. This challenge is compounded by Abuja’s growing population and economic expansion, which is expected to further increase the demand for judicial services. The proposed bill will address these challenges by augmenting the court’s judicial complement to ensure timely and efficient justice.”
“Given the rapid growth of Abuja’s population, alongside a rising volume of cases across various legal sectors, has underscored the pressing need for additional judges. To address these systemic challenges, this amendment bill seeks to expand the judicial capacity of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court. Specifically, the bill proposes an amendment to Section 1 of the existing Act, raising the maximum number of judges from the current seventy (as set by the 2016 amendment) to a minimum of one hundred. This increase will enable the FCT High Court to better meet both current demands and future challenges, ensuring that the judicial system remains responsive and effective.
He said, “Mr. Speaker, Honorable Colleagues, this amendment is of utmost importance. It represents a vital intervention aimed at upholding the principles of timely justice, judicial efficiency, and the rule of law in Nigeria. I strongly urge all members to lend their support to this Bill, as it marks a significant step toward reinforcing our judiciary and ensuring that justice remains accessible and swift for all Nigerians.”
The Bill was unanimously adopted by the House following a voice vote conducted by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas. It was subsequently passed for second reading and referred to the Committee on FCT Judiciary and Constitutional Review for further legislative action.
