The House of Representatives on Thursday advanced a bill seeking to amend the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Act to increase the number of judges in Abuja’s High Court system. The proposed legislation, spearheaded by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Rep. Babajimi Benson, Rep. Akin Rotimi, and five other lawmakers, aims to boost judicial capacity and reduce case backlogs.
One of the co-sponsors, Hon. Jonathan Gbefwi, argued during the second reading that the current limit of 70 judges is insufficient to handle the increasing volume and complexity of cases in the FCT High Court, which serves as a vital judicial hub for Nigeria.
The Case for More Judges
Gbefwi highlighted a significant backlog in the FCT judiciary, noting that as of the 2022/2023 legal year, 12,513 cases were carried over from the previous year, with an additional 5,952 new cases assigned. This has placed an overwhelming burden on the existing judicial workforce.
He explained that the bill proposes raising the statutory limit from 70 to a minimum of 100 judges. This increase, he said, would alleviate delays in case resolution, enhance judicial efficiency, and restore public confidence in the judiciary.
“Given the rapid expansion of Abuja’s population and the complexity of legal cases, the current judge complement is insufficient to meet demand. This amendment is a crucial step to ensure justice remains timely, efficient, and accessible,” Gbefwi stated.
Addressing Systemic Challenges
Gbefwi emphasized that the FCT High Court handles cases of national significance in addition to its local caseload. The amendment seeks to empower the judiciary to cope with Abuja’s growth as a population and economic center.
By expanding judicial capacity, the bill aims to uphold the principles of the rule of law and ensure Nigerians have better access to justice.
Next Steps
The bill has been referred to the Committee on FCT Judiciary and Constitution Review for further legislative scrutiny. If passed, the amendment would mark a significant reform aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s judicial framework and tackling the longstanding issue of delays in the justice delivery system.
