Senate okays bill seeking to increase Appeal Court Justices from 90 to 110

Senate on Tuesday gave its nod to an amendment to the Court of Appeal Act, 2013 when it considered and passed a bill seeking to increase the number of Justices of Court of Appeal from 90 to 110.

This was sequel to the adoption of the report of Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and legal Matters presented by Chairman, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central).

Bamidele in his presentation, stated that the bill which sought to increase the number of Justices of Court of Appeal from 90 to 110 was sponsored by Senator Chukwuka Utazi (PDP, Enugu North).

According to him, the legislative intent of the amendment is to ensure that the court has the requisite manpower to allow cooperation of all the divisions of the court.

The lawmaker added that the bill was designed to bring justice closer to litigants in line with the current reality at expediting the administration of Justice.

“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 amendments undoubtedly is targeted at increasing the work load of the court and enhance its effective performance,” he said.

He also mentioned that stakeholders were unanimous in their support of the passage of the bill, given its strategic relevance to the justice sector reform, adding that the amendment would ultimately stimulate quick dispensation of justice. 

“The one silent 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 guildline, given to courts by the Chief Justice of the Federation, as justice will no longer be delayed,” he stated.