ABUJA – In a significant move to reform Nigeria’s judiciary, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sent a series of bills to the Senate seeking a substantial increase in the number of judges across the country’s superior courts.
A letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday detailed the proposals. The key amendment seeks to increase the number of Justices at the Court of Appeal from 70 to 110. A separate bill aims to raise the number of judges at the Federal High Court from 70 to 90, up from the original provision of 50.
President Tinubu cited the urgent need to “strengthen the court and address the growing volume of cases” as the rationale behind the reforms, urging the Senate to give the bills expedited consideration. The proposals have been referred to the Senate Committee on Rules and Business for legislative action.
In a related communication, the President also sought the confirmation of Justice Oyewole Joseph Kayode as a Justice of the Supreme Court. Furthermore, a separate Court of Appeal Amendment Bill proposes the establishment of an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Centre to help settle appropriate cases outside the traditional court system.
The reforms are widely seen as a critical step towards reducing the chronic backlog of cases and improving the efficiency of the nation’s justice system.
Disclaimer: This report details legislative proposals submitted by the President to the National Assembly. The bills are subject to debate, amendment, and approval by the Senate before becoming law.
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