President Bola Tinubu has formally transmitted a package of judicial reform bills to the Nigerian Senate, seeking significant amendments to key statutes governing the country’s superior courts. The proposed reforms are aimed at expanding judicial capacity, reducing case backlogs, and strengthening access to justice amid Nigeria’s growing litigation burden.
At the resumption of plenary on Tuesday, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, read a letter from the President requesting legislative approval to amend the Court of Appeal Act to increase the number of Justices from 70 to 110. According to the President, the current numerical limit no longer reflects the volume and complexity of cases handled by the appellate court.
President Tinubu noted that the Court of Appeal, which serves as the final court in most electoral disputes and a key appellate forum in civil and criminal matters, has experienced a sharp rise in caseloads, creating delays that undermine public confidence in the justice system.
In a related move, the President forwarded a separate bill proposing amendments to the Federal High Court Act to raise the number of judges from 70 to 90, an increase from the original statutory provision of 50 judges. The Federal High Court has exclusive jurisdiction over several critical subject areas, including constitutional interpretation, revenue matters, admiralty, banking, intellectual property, and terrorism-related cases.
Legal observers have long argued that the court’s limited judicial strength has contributed to prolonged pre-trial detention, delayed hearings, and congested dockets, particularly in divisions handling high-profile and specialised matters.
President Tinubu urged the Senate to accord the bills expedited consideration, citing the urgency of judicial reform as a cornerstone of governance, rule of law, and economic development. The proposed amendments were subsequently referred to the Senate Committee on Rules and Business for legislative processing.
Beyond increasing judicial personnel, the President also sought Senate confirmation of Justice Oyewole Joseph Kayode for appointment as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, a move that would further bolster the apex court’s capacity at a time when it faces mounting appeals from across the federation.
In addition, the Senate received a Court of Appeal Amendment Bill proposing the establishment of an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Centre within the court system. The proposed ADR framework is intended to facilitate the settlement of suitable disputes outside the traditional litigation process, reduce the pressure on appellate courts, and promote faster, cost-effective justice delivery.
President Tinubu further transmitted a separate communication requesting amendments to 24 health sector-related bills, specifically targeting what he described as over-bloated board memberships. While not directly judicial in nature, the proposal reflects a broader reform agenda focused on institutional efficiency and governance restructuring.
