The House of Representatives on Thursday advanced a bill seeking to amend the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory Act to increase the number of judges in the FCT High Courts.
The proposed legislation, co-sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Babajimi Benson, Akin Rotimi, and five others, aims to address judicial delays and improve the administration of justice in the FCT by raising the cap on judges from the current 70 to a minimum of 100.
Leading the debate on the bill’s general principles, Rep. Jonathan Gbefwi emphasised the importance of strengthening the judiciary to handle the increasing complexity and volume of cases. He noted that the FCT High Court plays a critical role not just for Abuja residents but also in cases of national significance.
“The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja stands as a crucial pillar in Nigeria’s judicial framework, serving not only the residents of Abuja but also, in many respects, playing a pivotal role in cases of national importance. However, as it currently stands, the High Court of the FCT is limited in the number of judges it can engage. This inadequacy significantly affects the rising volume and complexity of cases brought before it,” Gbefwi said.
He highlighted the court’s current challenges, referencing data from the 2022/2023 legal year. The FCT High Court carried over 12,513 pending cases from the previous year and received 5,952 new cases during the same period. This overwhelming workload has placed immense strain on judicial resources.
According to Gbefwi, the population growth and economic expansion in Abuja have further exacerbated the pressure on the judiciary, necessitating the increase in judicial capacity.
“This Bill proposes an amendment to Section 1 of the extant Act to increase the number of judges in the FCT High Court from the current maximum of seventy judges… to a minimum of one hundred judges, thus allowing for greater judicial capacity to address the current and future needs of the court,” he explained.
The amendment, Gbefwi argued, is crucial to reducing delays in case resolution, ensuring judicial efficiency, and enhancing public confidence in the legal system.
He urged lawmakers to support the bill, adding, “This amendment is crucial; it is no doubt a necessary intervention to uphold the principles of timely justice, judicial efficiency, and the rule of law in Nigeria. I urge all members to lend their support to this bill, as it represents a concrete step towards strengthening our judiciary and ensuring that justice remains accessible and expeditious for all Nigerians.”
The House subsequently referred the bill to the Committee on FCT Judiciary and Constitution Review for further legislative consideration.
