Senate has passed a Bill into law amending the Court of Appeal Act, 2013 thereby increasing the number of Justices of the Court of Appeal from 90 to 110 .
The development was sequel to the adoption of a report by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, at plenary on Tuesday.
Earlier, while presenting the report, chairman of the Committee, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), said the Bill, sponsored by Senator Chukwuka Utazi (PDP, Enugu), sought to increase the number of Justices of the Court of Appeal from 90 to 110.
According to him, the legislative intent of the amendment to the principal Act was to ensure that the Appellate Court has the requisite manpower to deliver justice without delay.
He said the Bill was designed to bring justice closer to litigants in line with the current realities and expediting the administration of justice.
“This is necessary in order to eliminate delay in the justice delivery systems, as it relates to the adjudicatory powers of the court
“This proposed amendment undoubtedly is targeted at increasing the work load of the court and enhance its effective performance,” Bamidele said.
He said that stakeholders were unanimous in their support of the passage of the Bill into law, given its strategic relevance to the justice sector reform.
He said the amendment would ultimately stimulate quick dispensation of justice.
“The one silent improvement of this Bill is the aspect that seeks to integrate virtual court proceedings which have become an integral part of our court proceedings.
“This also is in line with the guideline, given to courts by the Chief Justice of the Federation, as justice will no longer be delayed,” he added.
Upon adoption of the Committee report on the Bill, the Senate unanimously passed the Bill into law.
