The Senate has advanced two bills that seek to expand Nigeria’s federal judiciary and improve justice delivery across the country.
Lawmakers approved the bills for a second reading during Tuesday’s plenary. Senate President Godswill Akpabio then referred both proposals to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for further review.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said the Federal High Court now handles more cases than its current number of judges can effectively manage. He noted that the court has exclusive jurisdiction over taxation, banking, aviation, telecommunications, election disputes, anti-corruption cases and oil and gas matters.
According to Bamidele, economic growth, technological advancement and rising commercial activities have increased the court’s workload. He argued that the shortage of judges has slowed justice delivery, prolonged litigation and increased costs for litigants.
The Senate also considered a second bill that seeks to increase the number of Court of Appeal justices from 70 to 110. The proposal also introduces virtual court proceedings to improve efficiency and speed up appeals.
Lawmakers said the reforms would reduce case backlogs, improve access to justice and strengthen the judiciary.
Akpabio directed the Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters Committee to review both bills and submit its report within four weeks.
If lawmakers pass the bills and the President signs them into law, Nigeria will significantly expand its federal judiciary and strengthen the courts’ capacity to handle rising caseloads.
