Senate Moves To Boost Judiciary As Bill To Increase Federal High Court Judges Passes Second Reading

During Wednesday’s plenary, lawmakers considered and approved the general principles of a bill to amend the Federal High Court Act, which proposes raising the number of judges from 70 to 90.

The development follows a request by President Bola Tinubu, who forwarded a Judicial Reform Bill to the National Assembly aimed at strengthening the judiciary and addressing the rising volume of cases across the country.

According to a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the President also proposed amendments to the Court of Appeal Act to increase the number of justices from 70 to 110, alongside the expansion of the Federal High Court bench.

Tinubu said the reforms are necessary to improve efficiency in the justice system and reduce delays in case resolution.

The Senate’s consideration of the bill marks a key step in the broader judicial reform agenda currently before the legislature.