By Emegwoako C. Paschal
The Nigerian Senate, has approved a bill seeking to increase the number of Justices of the Federation from 90 to 110. This development stands as an amendment of the Court of Appeal Act, 2013.
Following the adoption of the report of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters by its Chairman, Senator Bamidele Opeyemi, APC, Ekiti Central; the bill was read a third time and passed by the Senate.
According to Opeyemi’s presentation, Sen. Chukwuka Utazi, PDP, Enugu North, sponsored the bill, which sought to increase the number of Justices of Court of Appeal from 90 to 110.
Opeyemi said the bill was intended to bring justice closer to litigants, in line with the current reality at accelerating the administration of justice. She pointed out that the legislative intent of the amendment was to ensure that the court had the necessary manpower to allow cooperation of all the divisions of the court.
Given the strategic relevance of the bill to the reform of the justice system, Opeyemi explained that stakeholders were unanimous in their support for its passage, adding that the amendment would ultimately encourage swift administration of justice.
Additionally, the Senate approved the bills establishing the Federal University of Medicine and Medical Science in Egbe, Kogi as well as amending the National Health Act.
Following the adoption of the Senate Committee on Health’s reports (Secondary and Tertiary). The Electoral Offenses bill will be ready before the 2023 elections, the Senate has promised.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Kabiru Gaya, APC, Kano South, said the committee was working round the clock to ensure the electoral body conducted credible elections in 2023 while speaking yesterday in Abuja during the screening of Residents Electoral Commissioners, or RECs, of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He maintained that the Technical Committee in the House of Representatives has already received the Electoral Offenses Bill from the committee. The National Assembly is steadfast in ensuring that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, completes its task, according to Gaya.
