Senate passes bill increasing number of judges from 70 to 100

The Senate on Wednesday passed into law the bill seeking increase of judges in the Federal High Court from 70 to 100.The new development was as a result of amendment of a bill on Federal High Court Act 2005, which was sponsored by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.The Senate President, David Mark, after the passage, assured that the National Assembly would support the judiciary with all the legal power within its power, appealing that the judiciary must deliver justice without delay, in order to boost the image of the system.He explained that the Federal High Court at the moment has 34 divisions spread across the country and the FCT, while two additional divisions were created in Kebbi and Taraba states, which are yet to take off due to lack of judges.According to him, 'due to insufficient number of judges, there are a good number of cases pending before the various divisions of the court. Available statistics showed that Abuja division alone has over 2000 pending cases, with two judges to preside over them.'Lagos division has about 15,000 cases before only eight judges, and Port Harcourt has the same number of cases with a very few judges to handle it.'Commenting later, Senator Lawan Ahmed commended his colleagues for adding more number of judges to the Federal High Court, as it will remain steadfast, fair and just to be the last hope of the common man.Abdul Ningi also noted that the increase in numbers of judges should come along with attractive remunerations for judges, in order to encourage them to discharge their duties effectively.
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