President Bola Tinubu has transmitted a bill to the Senate seeking to amend the Court of Appeal Act to increase the number of justices from 70 to 110.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the letter containing
Tinubu’s request at plenary on Tuesday.
According to Tinubu, the proposed amendment is aimed at
strengthening the institutional capacity, efficiency, and effectiveness of the
Court of Appeal in line with constitutional provisions and current realities in
the justice sector.
“The bill seeks to increase the number of justices of the
Court of Appeal from 70 to 110 and provide clarification of judicial structure
and seniority,” the president said.
Tinubu said the bill also proposes a restructuring of
provisions relating to the ranking of justices, including the ranking of the
president of the court of appeal and the determination of seniority among
justices.
He said the amendment seeks to modernise appellate court
proceedings through the introduction of virtual hearings.
According to the president, the proposed ADRC will allow
appellate matters to be referred for settlement outside the conventional court
process.
“The bill provides for the conduct of proceedings of the
Court of Appeal through electronic and audio means, and the establishment of an
Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre (ADRC),” Tinubu said.
“The bill seeks to establish an Alternative Dispute
Resolution Centre within the Court of Appeal, where appellate matters may be
referred for settlement.”
Tinubu said the proposed changes are designed to improve
professional efficiency and legal certainty in appellate practice in line with
modern institutional standards.
“The bill also seeks to update terminology and definitions
within the principal Act, including the recognition of virtual hearings and
modern correctional nomenclature,” he said.
“It seeks to consolidate interpretative provisions to ensure
clarity, consistency, and alignment with the current legal and institutional
framework.”
The president said the amendment has become necessary due to
the growing workload on the appellate court and is expected to reduce delays in
the administration of justice.
He said the reforms would strengthen access to justice and
reinforce public confidence in the judiciary.
Tinubu also transmitted a separate bill seeking to amend the
Federal High Court Act to increase the number of judges from 70 to 90.
In addition, the president requested Senate confirmation of
the appointment of Oyewole Joseph Kayode to the Supreme Court.
Following the reading of the letters, Akpabio referred the
bills and the nomination to the Senate Committee on Rules and Business for
further legislative action.
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