The Federal House of Representatives has passed a Bill for a second reading that aims to amend the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja Act, proposing an increase in the number of judges in the FCT High Courts.
This initiative, sponsored by Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Hon. Babajimi Benson, Hon. Akin Rotimi, Jr., and five others, is set to undergo further legislative examination through a public hearing.
During the debate on the bill’s general principles, Jonathan Gaza Gbefwi (SDP, Nasarawa) emphasized the need to enhance the judiciary’s capability to deliver timely justice.
He pointed out that the proposal seeks to raise the number of judges in the FCT High Court from the current maximum of seventy to a minimum of one hundred.
Gbefwi remarked on the critical role of the High Court, serving both the residents of Abuja and pivotal national interests.
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Highlighting the pressing issues faced by the court, Gbefwi noted that at the start of the 2022/2023 legal year, there were 12,513 pending cases carried over, coupled with an additional 5,952 new cases assigned during that period.
This influx has significantly strained judicial resources, revealing the inadequacy of the current number of judges.
Gbefwi expressed hope that increasing the number of judges would alleviate delays in case resolutions, enhance the efficiency of handling cases, and ultimately bolster public trust in the judiciary.
He stated, “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.”
He concluded by urging fellow members to support the Bill as it represents a vital step toward strengthening the judiciary and ensuring timely access to justice for all Nigerians.
