President Tinubu said the amendment will strengthen the capacity and efficiency of the Court of Appeal in line with constitutional provisions and evolving realities within Nigeria’s justice sector
President Bola Tinubu has transmitted a bill to the Senate seeking to amend the Court of Appeal Act to increase the number of justices from 70 to 110.
The request was contained in a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and read at plenary on Tuesday.
According to President Tinubu, the proposed amendment is intended to strengthen the institutional capacity, efficiency, and effectiveness of the Court of Appeal in line with constitutional provisions and evolving realities within Nigeria’s justice sector.
He explained that the central feature of the bill is the expansion of the number of justices of the Court of Appeal.
“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,” the president stated.
Tinubu further noted that the bill proposes a restructuring of provisions governing the ranking of Justices of the Court of Appeal, including the ranking of the President of the Court and the determination of seniority among justices.
The president also disclosed that the legislation seeks to modernise appellate court proceedings through the introduction of virtual hearings.
“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 (ADRC),” he said.
According to him, the proposed ADR centre would be created within the Court of Appeal to allow 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,” Tinubu added.
He said the amendment is also designed to enhance professional efficiency and legal certainty in appellate practice, in line with modern legal and institutional standards.
“The bill further seeks to update terminology and definitions in the principal Act, including the recognition of virtual hearings and modern correctional nomenclature.
“It also seeks to consolidate interpretative provisions to ensure clarity, consistency, and alignment with the current legal and institutional framework,” the president said.
Tinubu noted that the proposed amendments are timely and necessary, given the increasing workload and demands on the appellate justice system.
He added that the reforms are expected to reduce delays in the administration of justice, improve access to justice for litigants across the federation, and strengthen public confidence in the judiciary.
Following the reading of the letter, Akpabio referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Rules and Business for further legislative action.
