By Mercy Aikoye
The House of Representatives has urged the federal government to appoint nine new Justices to the Supreme Court in order to expedite the hearing and determination of matters for effective and efficient justice delivery in nigeria
This was sequel to a motion of urgent national importance by a member from Akwa Ibom State, Patrick Umoh, at plenary.
The lawmaker stated that the current number of justices of the apex court has dropped to all-time low of 11 Justices, making it 10 justices short of its full complement of 21 Justices, as stipulated in the constitution.
He observed that the Supreme Court’s docket is full for the year 2023 as parties cannot have hearing date for matters filed within the year, except in election petitions, owing to a considerable volume of matters pending before the court.
He expressed concern that the non-appointment of new justices to the supreme court has stalled expeditious, effective and efficient justice delivery as well as impeded transactions and economic development.
Umoh added that it has also limited citizen’s access to justice, put the current Justices of the court under immense mental and physical pressure and has affected the policy-making function of the court.
The lawmaker commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his promise to promote the rule of law and support the Judiciary, as well as his signing into law the constitutional alteration unifying the retirement age and pension benefits of the judicial officers;
Adopting the motion, the house mandated its Committee on federal judiciary to ensure compliance with the resolution.
