President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday asked the Senate to approve amendments to the Court of Appeal Act that would raise the number of justices from 70 to 110, in a bid to strengthen Nigeria’s appellate justice system.
The request, contained in a letter read at plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, highlighted reforms aimed at boosting efficiency and easing the growing workload of the appellate courts. “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,” Tinubu stated.
He explained that the legislation would also restructure provisions relating to the ranking of justices, including the office of the President of the Court and seniority rules. In addition, the bill introduces measures to modernise proceedings. “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,” Tinubu said.
The proposed ADR Centre would allow certain appellate matters to be referred for settlement, reducing delays and strengthening access to justice. Tinubu added that the reforms would “improve professional efficiency and legal certainty in appellate practice.”
The bill also seeks to update terminology in the principal Act, recognising virtual hearings and consolidating interpretative provisions for clarity and consistency.
Akpabio referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Rules and Business for further legislative action.
This move comes amid sustained concerns over case backlogs in Nigeria’s superior courts. Just last year, the Senate considered a proposal to expand the Supreme Court bench to 30 justices, with Senator Osita Izunaso warning that even with the full complement of 21 justices, the apex court was overwhelmed. “Some litigants are being given hearing dates as far ahead as 2027 and 2028,” Izunaso had said.
Meanwhile, Tinubu also requested Senate confirmation of Justice Oyewole Kayode as a Justice of the Supreme Court, underscoring ongoing efforts to ease capacity constraints and reinforce judicial delivery nationwide.
