Nigeria's Senate advances bills to boost Federal High Court and Court of Appeal judge numbers

The Nigerian Senate is moving to bolster its judicial capacity by considering legislation to significantly increase the number of judges in both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal. Two separate bills, sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, have passed their second reading.

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The essence of every judicial system is to ensure the timely and effective administration of justice, as justice delayed is justice denied.

The proposed increase for the Federal High Court would raise the number of judges from 70 to 90. For the Court of Appeal, the bill seeks to expand the bench from 70 to 110 justices. These measures are intended to tackle the escalating backlog of cases and ensure swifter judicial processes.

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It is a known fact that no democracy can thrive where citizens and institutions are unable to obtain prompt judicial determination of disputes.

Bamidele emphasized the necessity of these changes, stating that "justice delayed is justice denied." He pointed to the exponential growth in cases stemming from economic expansion, complex commercial transactions, technological shifts, cybercrime, anti-corruption drives, and modern governance. The current number of judges, he argued, is inadequate, leading to congested dockets and prolonged delays, which ultimately increase litigation costs for citizens.

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Over the years, the volume of cases before the Federal High Court has increased exponentially.

Furthermore, the bill concerning the Court of Appeal aims not only to increase the number of justices but also to promote equitable representation from all states and the Federal Capital Territory. It also seeks to clarify seniority issues, strengthen administrative functions, and enhance the efficiency of appellate adjudication, thereby promoting the federal character principle and national unity.

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However, in spite of these developments, the statutory number of judges of the Federal High Court has remained inadequate relative to the demands placed upon the Court, which has resulted in congestion of court dockets, prolonged delays in hearings and determination of cases.