President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sent two bills to the Senate seeking an increase in the number of justices of the Court of Appeal and judges of the Federal High Court.
The requests were contained in letters read at plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio as lawmakers reconvened from the Christmas and New Year recess.
According to the President, the proposed amendments are intended to strengthen the institutional capacity, efficiency, and effectiveness of the Court of Appeal in line with constitutional provisions and current realities within the justice sector.
Tinubu explained that the bill seeks to increase the number of justices of the Court of Appeal from 70 to 110, while also clarifying judicial structure and seniority within the court. The proposed changes include a restructuring of provisions governing the ranking of justices, the position of the President of the Court of Appeal, and the determination of seniority among justices.
The President further noted that the amendment aims to modernise appellate court proceedings through the introduction of virtual hearings. The bill also proposes the establishment of an Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre (ADRC) within the Court of Appeal, allowing certain appellate matters to be settled 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 where appellate matters may be referred for settlement,” Tinubu stated.
He added that the proposed reforms are designed to improve professional efficiency, enhance legal certainty, and align appellate practice with modern institutional standards. The bill also seeks to update terminology and definitions in the principal Act, including the recognition of virtual hearings and modern correctional nomenclature, while consolidating interpretative provisions for clarity and consistency.
Tinubu said the amendments have become necessary due to the growing workload at the appellate court and are expected to reduce delays in the administration of justice, strengthen access to justice, and reinforce public confidence in the judiciary.
In a separate request, the President transmitted another bill seeking to amend the Federal High Court Act to increase the number of judges from 70 to 90.
He also sought Senate confirmation for the appointment of Oyewole Joseph Kayode as a Justice of the Supreme Court.
Following the presentation of the requests, Akpabio referred the bills and the nomination to the Senate Committee on Rules and Business for further legislative action.
