The Federal High Court across its divisions nationwide is currently burdened with 116,623 cases, the FHC acting Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho, said on Monday.
He called for the appointment of more judges to reduce the burden of about 77 judicial officers currently sitting on the court’s bench.
Justice Tsoho, who spoke during a special court session marking the commencement of the Federal High Court’s new legal year 2019/2020 at the court’s headquarters in Abuja, however lamented that there was no provision in the 2019 budget for the appointment of new judges for the court.
He said in the last three months, 16,144 cases were filed, out of which about 12,692 of them were disposed of.
He said, “It is pertinent at this juncture to highlight the status of litigation before this court in the past legal year.
“From the reports received, about 116,623 cases are pending in the Federal High Court.
“About 16, 144 cases were filed in this quarter alone in which 12,692 have been disposed of.
“It is obvious that the judges were overburdened with work in the last legal year.
“We therefore need to engage more judicial officers to help out.”
Justice Tsoho commended the judges for “the efficient way pre-election matters were handled”.
He urged them “to uphold the Constitution for the unity of the country and enhanced law and order, to achieve the enabling legal environment, which will attract foreign investments, local industrial development and creation”.
Justice Tsoho, who became the FHC acting Chief Judge following Justice Adamu Abdu-Kafarati’s retirement from the bench in July, said his administration would cooperate with the legislature and the executive “towards a solid entrenchment of constitutionalism as the paramount court of first instance in the federal judiciary”.
The representative of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria in Abuja, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, called for the Federal High Court to be broken into specialised divisions to boost productivity.
Awomolo, who represented the Chairman of BOSAN in Abuja, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim, said, “What I mean is that the era of general jurisdiction in one Judge has shown that a Judge in each day, has over 25 cases to deal with.
“Their claims or causes include political matters under the Electoral Act, criminal matters under the NDLEA, NAPTIP, EFCC, ICPC and sundry crimes.
“In the same cause list, you have suits on aviation, fundamental enforcement, bankruptcy and insolvency, terrorism, mines and minerals including pollution, natural gas, including Arbitration matters, arms and ammunition, cybercrime, treasonable felony and allied offences and interpretation of the Constitution.”
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), said his office was committed to “the growth of a healthy relationship with this court in a manner that promotes genuine cooperation without undermining the independence of this hallowed arm of government”.
Malami added, “Together we shall promote and foster the rule of law by encouraging this court through legitimate means to aid fast and efficient dispensation of justice.”