By Pius Obansa
[T]he Senate on Thursday passed the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Act (Amendment) Bill 2016 to increase the number of judges in the High Court of the FCT from 37 to 75.
The passage of the bill followed a clause by clause consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters.
The bill was sponsored by Rep Joshua Lidani (Gombe South) and co-sponsored by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, David Umaru, and Senator Andy Uba (PDP-Anambra South).
Presenting the report, Mr. Umaru said the amendment of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Act had become necessary in view of the fact that it had not been amended since 2003.
He said the bill sought to reduce workload of judges in the High Court of the FCT, who had been overwhelmed due to increased population, criminal activities as well as level of political and socio-economic activities.
“The passage of the bill will increase the number of judges from 37 to 75, thereby aiding quick dispensation of justice.
“We conducted a public hearing and stakeholders unanimously agreed to the increment in the number of judges for quick dispensation of justice,’’ he said.
