Senate Considers Raising Supreme Court Judges to 30 to Boost Judicial Efficiency

The Senate is actively considering a bill to raise the number of Supreme Court Justices from 21 to 30, aiming to confront the persistent backlog of cases and enhance the effectiveness of Nigeria’s highest court.

Senator Osita Izunaso, representing Imo West, unveiled the details of the bill during a press briefing in Abuja, celebrating his two years in the National Assembly. He pointed out that, even after the 2023 appointments that filled the court’s constitutional quota, the Supreme Court continues to struggle with an overwhelming caseload.

“Even with the full complement of 21 justices, the Supreme Court is overwhelmed. The volume of cases reaching the court daily is alarming. Some litigants are being given hearing dates as far ahead as 2027 and 2028,” Izunaso remarked.

The legislation proposes that with 30 justices, the Supreme Court could form at least five panels simultaneously, enabling faster resolution of cases. “Supreme Court justices typically sit in panels of five, or seven for constitutional matters. If we have 30 justices, it allows the formation of at least five panels simultaneously. That way, more cases can be handled at a faster pace,” he said.

Izunaso also called for a review of the types of cases permitted at the Supreme Court level, criticizing the current system that allows minor disputes to reach the apex court. “Why should a land matter in my village end up in the Supreme Court?” he questioned, advocating for such cases to be handled at lower courts.

He emphasized that the Supreme Court should be reserved for cases of significant national or constitutional relevance, such as terrorism and major corruption cases. He cited a personal example of a case scheduled for a Supreme Court hearing years after it had been settled among descendants, highlighting inefficiencies in the system.

Izunaso dismissed proposals for regional Supreme Courts, asserting that Nigeria should retain a single national apex court while improving case filtration at lower levels.

He also lauded President Tinubu for posthumously honoring Professor Humphrey Nwosu, the former electoral commission chief who oversaw the historic 1993 presidential election, and called for further recognition by naming the INEC headquarters after him.