President Bola Tinubu has asked the Senate to approve a bill amending the Court of Appeal Act to increase the number of justices from 70 to 110, as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s appellate system.
The request was made in a letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and read during plenary on Tuesday.
Tinubu said the proposed amendments are aimed at improving the capacity, efficiency, and effectiveness of the Court of Appeal in line with constitutional provisions and current needs in the justice sector.
He added that the main feature of the bill is expanding the court’s bench to handle rising caseloads and operational pressures. “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,” Tinubu stated.
The President explained that the legislation also seeks to restructure provisions relating to the ranking of justices of the Court of Appeal, including the position of the President of the Court and the determination of seniority among serving justices.
In addition, Tinubu disclosed that the bill introduces measures to modernise appellate proceedings through the use of technology. “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,” he said.
According to him, the proposed ADR Centre would operate within the Court of Appeal, allowing 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,” the President added.
He further noted that the amendment would improve professional efficiency and legal certainty in appellate practice. “The bill also seeks to update terminology and definitions within the principal Act, including the recognition of virtual hearings and modern correctional nomenclature.
“It seeks to consolidate interpretative provisions to ensure clarity, consistency, and alignment with the current legal and institutional framework,” Tinubu said.
The President said the reforms were timely, given the increasing pressure on the appellate justice system nationwide, adding that the proposed changes would help reduce delays, strengthen access to justice and reinforce public confidence in the judiciary. Following the reading of the letter, Senate President Akpabio referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Rules and Business for further legislative action.