The House of Representatives on Thursday passed a bill aimed at amending the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Act to increase the number of judges in the FCT High Court from 70 to 100.
The proposed legislation, which passed its second reading, was sponsored by Deputy Speaker Rep. Benjamin Kalu, Rep. Babajimi Benson, Rep. Akin Rotimi, and five other lawmakers.
Leading the debate on the bill, Rep. Jonathan Gbefwi highlighted the critical role the FCT High Court plays in Nigeria’s judicial system, both for residents of the capital and for cases of national significance.
He pointed out the court’s growing caseload, including 12,513 pending cases carried over from the previous legal year, coupled with an additional 5,952 new cases in the same period.
This overwhelming backlog underscores the need for an expanded judicial workforce.
“The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory is limited in the number of judges it can engage, and this inadequacy significantly affects the rising volume and complexity of cases brought before it,” Gbefwi said.
Gbefwi also emphasized that as Abuja’s population and economic activity continue to grow, the demand for judicial services will only intensify.
The current number of judges is insufficient to meet the increasing demands of both civil and criminal cases, which span various legal sectors.
“The considerable backlog reflects the limitations faced by the court in addressing the high volume of cases, which is only anticipated to increase with Abuja’s population growth and economic development,” Gbefwi added.
The amendment bill seeks to increase the number of judges in the FCT High Court from a maximum of 70 judges, established in 2016, to a minimum of 100.
This change, according to the bill’s proponents, is necessary to enhance judicial efficiency and ensure that cases are resolved in a timely manner, ultimately boosting public confidence in the judicial system.
Gbefwi urged lawmakers to support the bill, describing it as a crucial step toward improving the administration of justice in Nigeria.
Following Thursday’s passage, the bill was referred to the Committee on FCT Judiciary and Constitution Review for further legislative scrutiny.
If passed, the amendment is expected to significantly enhance the capacity of the FCT High Court, helping to reduce delays and improve access to justice in the country’s capital.
This move represents a concerted effort by lawmakers to address systemic challenges in Nigeria’s judicial system, ensuring that the country’s growing legal needs are met with adequate judicial infrastructure.