Bill: The Nigerian House of Representatives has taken a significant step to bolster the judiciary by advancing a legislative proposal aimed at amending the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Act.
The bill, which seeks to address judicial inefficiencies caused by an overwhelming caseload, was co-sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Hon. Babajimi Benson, Hon. Akin Rotimi, and five other lawmakers. It successfully passed its second reading on Thursday.
Key Objectives of the Bill
The proposed amendment primarily aims to increase the number of judges in the FCT High Court from the current statutory maximum of 70 to a minimum of 100. Leading the debate, Hon. Jonathan Gbefwi, one of the sponsors, emphasised the importance of this legislative intervention in ensuring the efficient delivery of justice in Nigeria’s capital.
Hon. Gbefwi argued that the FCT High Court holds a unique and critical position in Nigeria’s judiciary. Beyond serving Abuja’s residents, the court handles cases of national significance, often grappling with highly sensitive and complex matters. However, its ability to meet these demands has been severely constrained by the insufficient number of judges.
Judicial Challenges Highlighted
Gbefwi shed light on the alarming backlog of cases plaguing the court, which he described as a systemic challenge that undermines justice delivery. He cited data from the 2022/2023 legal year to underscore the magnitude of the issue:
- At the beginning of the legal year, the court had inherited 12,513 unresolved cases.
- During the same period, an additional 5,952 new cases were filed.
This accumulation has placed a significant burden on the judiciary, making it difficult for the existing judges to manage the growing and increasingly complex caseload effectively.
Gbefwi attributed the strain on the FCT High Court to multiple factors, including:
- Population Growth: Abuja’s rapid expansion has led to a surge in legal disputes across various domains.
- Economic Development: Increased commercial activities
