The House of Representatives advanced a bill to increase FCT High Court judges from 70 to 100, addressing case backlogs and improving judicial efficiency. The amendment, sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and others, aims to tackle rising legal demands in Abuja due to population and economic growth.
The House of Representatives has advanced a bill to increase the number of judges in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court from 70 to 100. The legislation, sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and others, aims to address the backlog of cases and improve judicial efficiency in Abuja.
During a plenary session on November 21, the bill passed its second reading. It proposes amending Section 1 of the current Act to expand the judicial capacity of the FCT High Court, which handles a significant number of cases critical to the nation’s legal framework.
Co-sponsor Jonathan Gbefwi highlighted the pressing need for more judges, noting that the FCT High Court carried over 12,500 pending cases from the previous legal year and added nearly 6,000 new cases. He stressed that the current limit on judges hampers the court’s ability to manage its growing workload effectively.
The proposed increase comes in response to Abuja’s population growth and rising economic activities, which have intensified legal demands. The amendment seeks to enhance the court's ability to deliver timely justice, addressing both current and anticipated caseloads.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas conducted a voice vote, and the bill was approved for further consideration. This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s judiciary and ensuring efficient legal proceedings.
