Teddy Oscar, Abuja
A bill that would ensure that the number of judges in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is increased from 37 to 69 on Thursday passed into third reading, after being read for the second time on the floor of the House of Representatives.
The bill is entitled: a bill for an act to amend the High Court of the FCT Abuja (number of judges) act, No. 15 of 2003 to make provisions for increase in the number of judges from 37 to 69 and for other related matters.
According to Hon. Aminu Shagari, sponsor of the bill, fast-racking the process would lighten the workload of cases before the court.
Shagari, who observed that attending to files is difficult for the present number of judges, added that “the workload has been telling on these judges plus the prison decongestion.”
The financial implication of the judges increase would not be accommodated instantly, as it would be streamlined as the years go by, he added.
He cited cases of suit filings, where the number attended by the judges fell down to those that were not taken by the judges of the FCT due to the workload.
After adopting the bill, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, deputy speaker, who presided over the affairs of the House, referred the bill to the Committee on Judiciary for further legislative inputs.
