President Bola Tinubu has requested the Senate’s approval for a bill seeking to amend the Court of Appeal Act to increase the number of justices from 70 to 110, as part of ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s appellate justice system.
The request was conveyed in a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and was read during plenary on Tuesday.
According to the President, the proposed amendments are designed to enhance the institutional capacity, efficiency, and effectiveness of the Court of Appeal in line with constitutional provisions and evolving realities within the justice sector. He explained that the central feature of the bill is the expansion of the court’s bench to address rising caseloads and growing operational pressures.
“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.
The President further explained that the legislation seeks to restructure provisions relating to the ranking of justices of the Court of Appeal. This includes clarifying the position of the President of the Court as well as the determination of seniority among serving justices.
In addition, Tinubu disclosed that the bill introduces measures aimed at modernising appellate proceedings through the use of technology.
“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,” he said.
According to the President, the proposed ADR Centre would operate within the Court of Appeal, allowing certain appellate matters to be referred for settlement. “The bill seeks to establish an Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre within the Court of Appeal, where appellate matters may be referred for settlement,” he added.
Tinubu noted that the proposed amendment would ultimately improve professional efficiency, enhance legal certainty, and strengthen appellate practice across the country.
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