President Bola Tinubu has formally asked the Senate to consider a bill proposing amendments to the Court of Appeal Act that would raise the number of justices from 70 to 110, in a move aimed at strengthening the country’s appellate justice system and addressing delays in the resolution of cases.
Also, a bill to amend the Federal High Court Act to increase the number of judges from 70 to 90 was also sent the senate.
The request was contained in a letter presented at plenary on Tuesday by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Tinubu said the proposed changes are intended to boost the institutional capacity, efficiency and overall effectiveness of the Court of Appeal, in line with constitutional requirements and evolving demands within the justice sector.
According to the president, the expansion of the court’s bench has become imperative due to the increasing volume of appeals and the mounting workload faced by the court nationwide. He noted that adding more justices would help ease operational strain and improve the speed of justice delivery.
“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 in the letter.
The proposed legislation also seeks to restructure provisions relating to the ranking of justices, including the position of the President of the Court of Appeal and the determination of seniority among serving justices.
Tinubu said the changes would provide clarity, consistency, and certainty in appellate court administration.
In addition to increasing the number of justices, the bill proposes the modernisation of appellate court proceedings through the introduction of virtual hearings.
According to the president, the amendment would allow the Court of Appeal to conduct proceedings through electronic and audio means, in line with modern judicial practices.
Tinubu also disclosed that the bill seeks to establish an Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre within the Court of Appeal.
He explained that the centre would allow certain appellate matters to be referred for settlement outside the conventional court process, thereby reducing the burden on the court and promoting faster dispute resolution.
“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,” the president said.
He further noted that the amendment would update terminology and definitions within the principal Act, including the recognition of virtual hearings and modern correctional nomenclature.
According to him, the proposed changes are aimed at improving professional efficiency and legal certainty in appellate practice.
Tinubu said the reforms were necessary given the increasing pressure on the appellate justice system and are expected to reduce delays, strengthen access to justice and reinforce public confidence in the judiciary.
Following the reading of the letter, Akpabio referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Rules and Business for further legislative action.
In a related development, Tinubu also transmitted a separate bill seeking to amend the Federal High Court Act to increase the number of judges from 70 to 90.
He additionally requested Senate confirmation of the appointment of Justice Oyewole Joseph Kayode as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
The nomination was referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters for consideration and report.
