President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has written to the Senate seeking legislative approval to amend the Federal High Court Act and the Court of Appeal Act, proposing a significant expansion in the number of judges and wide-ranging reforms aimed at improving efficiency, reducing delays and modernising judicial processes.
In separate letters read on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the President requested an increase in the number of judges of the Federal High Court from 70 to 90, and an expansion of justices of the Court of Appeal from 70 to 110.
Tinubu explained that Section 1(2) of the Federal High Court Act, Cap F-12, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, initially provided for a maximum of 50 judges, which was later increased to 70 through a 2005 amendment. He noted that the number has remained unchanged despite the court’s expanding responsibilities.
According to the President, the Federal High Court now handles a growing volume of complex cases, including terrorism-related offences, transnational organised crime and other matters directly affecting national security.
“The proposed increase from 70 to 90 judges will significantly improve efficiency and strengthen access to justice for litigants across the federation”, Tinubu stated, urging the Senate to consider the amendment bill expeditiously.
On the Court of Appeal, the President said the proposed amendment seeks not only to increase the number of justices to 110 but also to strengthen the institutional capacity, efficiency and effectiveness of the appellate court in line with evolving realities in the justice sector.
He explained that the Bill would clarify judicial structure and seniority within the court, including provisions on the ranking of the President of the Court of Appeal and the determination of seniority among justices.
The proposed reforms also include the introduction of virtual court proceedings, allowing appeals to be heard through electronic and audio means. Tinubu further disclosed that the Bill provides for the establishment of an Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre (ADRC) within the Court of Appeal, whereby suitable appellate matters may be referred for settlement outside the conventional litigation process.
According to him, the reforms are aimed at improving professional efficiency, enhancing legal certainty in appellate practice and reducing delays caused by the court’s increasing workload.
The President described the proposed amendments as timely and necessary, saying they would strengthen access to justice, reduce delays in the administration of justice and reinforce public confidence in the Judiciary.
In a related development, Tinubu also forwarded a request to the Senate for the screening and confirmation of Oyewole Kayode as a Justice of the Supreme Court.
Following the reading of the letters, Senate President Akpabio referred the Bills and the nomination to the Senate Committee on Rules and Business for further legislative action.
