The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday passed for second reading a bill seeking to increase the number of judges of the Federal High Court as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the nation’s judicial system.
The proposed legislation seeks to amend the Federal High Court Act by increasing the number of judges from the current 70 to 90.
The bill is one of several judicial reform measures recently transmitted to the National Assembly by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The President, in his communication to lawmakers, explained that the proposed amendments are aimed at improving the efficiency of the judiciary and addressing the growing volume of cases before the courts.
During plenary, the Senate considered the bill and subsequently approved it for second reading, paving the way for further legislative scrutiny and consideration.
In addition to the proposal affecting the Federal High Court, President Tinubu also requested an amendment to the Court of Appeal Act to increase the number of Justices of the Court of Appeal from 70 to 110.
The proposed reforms are expected to enhance the capacity of the courts, reduce case backlogs, improve access to justice, and ensure the timely dispensation of legal matters across the country.
Stakeholders have continued to advocate for increased judicial manpower, citing rising litigation, population growth, and the need for a more responsive justice delivery system.
The bill will now proceed to the next stage of legislative consideration before a final decision is taken by the National Assembly.
