Tinubu Seeks Senate Approval to Increase Court of Appeal Justices

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally requested the approval of the Nigerian Senate for a bill aimed at significantly expanding and reforming the Court of Appeal.

The request was presented to lawmakers on Tuesday during plenary through a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio. The letter was read aloud on the floor of the Senate, marking the official introduction of the proposed legislation.

According to the content of the letter, the bill seeks to amend existing legal provisions governing the Court of Appeal, with a major focus on increasing the number of justices serving on the appellate court. President Tinubu proposed that the current number of justices be raised from 70 to 110, describing the move as part of a broader judicial reform agenda.

The president explained that the proposed amendments are designed to strengthen the institutional capacity of the Court of Appeal while improving its efficiency and overall effectiveness. He noted that the changes align with constitutional requirements and reflect evolving realities within Nigeria’s justice system.

At the core of the bill is the expansion of judicial personnel. Tinubu identified the increase in the number of justices as the central amendment, emphasizing its importance in addressing the growing workload faced by the appellate court.

In his words, 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.” He stated that this adjustment would also bring greater clarity to the organisation of the court.

Beyond increasing the number of justices, the proposed legislation also seeks to review and reorganise provisions relating to judicial ranking within the Court of Appeal. This includes redefining how seniority among justices is determined, as well as clarifying the ranking of the President of the Court of Appeal in relation to other members of the bench.

President Tinubu further disclosed that the bill introduces measures aimed at modernising court processes, particularly through the adoption of technology in judicial proceedings. He noted that the proposed law allows for the conduct of Court of Appeal proceedings through electronic and audio means.

According to the letter, the bill also provides for the establishment of an Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre (ADRC) within the Court of Appeal. This centre would enable certain appellate matters to be referred for settlement outside the traditional courtroom process.

Tinubu explained that the creation of the ADRC is intended to promote faster resolution of disputes and reduce the burden on the appellate court. He reiterated that appellate matters may be directed to the centre where appropriate, in line with the objectives of the proposed reforms.

In addition to these structural and procedural changes, the president stated that the bill aims to enhance professional efficiency and legal certainty in appellate practice. He said the amendments reflect modern legal and institutional standards required for an effective justice system.

The bill also seeks to update terminology and definitions contained in the principal law governing the Court of Appeal. This includes formal recognition of virtual hearings and the adoption of modern correctional terminology.

Furthermore, the proposed legislation seeks to consolidate interpretative provisions to ensure clarity, consistency, and alignment with Nigeria’s current legal and institutional framework.

President Tinubu described the reforms as timely and necessary, noting that they respond to increasing pressure on the appellate justice system. He stated that the changes are expected to reduce delays in the administration of justice, improve access to justice for litigants across the country, and strengthen public confidence in the judiciary.

Following the reading of the letter, Senate President Godswill Akpabio referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Rules and Business for further legislative consideration.