Senate bill increases Justices of Appeal Court from 90 to 110
A bill has been passed into law in the Senate on Tuesday to increase Justices of the Court of Appeal from 90 to 110.
The passage followed a report submitted to the Red Chamber by the Committee Chairman on Judiciary, Human Rights and legal Matters, Senator Bamidele Opeyemi.
The bill, which recommended the increase in the number of justices, was earlier sponsored by Senator Chukwuka Utazi, representing Enugu North Senatorial district.
Utazi explained that there was inadequate manpower in the Court of Appeal, a development he said, was affecting the expeditious adjudication of matters filed before the Court, adding that it was justice brought to the doorstep of litigants, if the number of Justices were increased.
“This is necessary in order to eliminate delay in the justice delivery systems, as it relates to the adjudicatory powers of the court
“This proposed amendment undoubtedly is targeted at increasing the workload of the court and enhancing its effective performance,” he said.
According to him, stakeholders were unanimous on the needed number of justices, saying that the amendment of the Court of Appeal Act in that direction would accelerate dispensation of justice.
“The one salient improvement of this bill is the aspect that seeks to integrate virtual court proceedings which have become an integral part of our court proceedings.
“This also is in line with the guideline, given to courts by the Chief Justice of the Federation, as justice will no longer be delayed,” he said.
After various contributions in favour of the bill, Senate President, Dr Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan through a voice vote passed the bill into law.
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