Delta State House of Assembly has passed two amendment bills aimed at strengthening the state judiciary, including a proposal to increase the statutory number of High Court judges from 46 to 50.
The bills, the Delta State High Court (Amendment) Bill, 2026 (HB. 48), and the Delta State Customary Court of Appeal (Amendment) Bill, 2026 (HB. 49), were passed at plenary after completing their Third Reading.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, commended lawmakers for the speedy passage of the two Executive Bills, saying the development demonstrated the 8th Assembly’s commitment to strengthening the judiciary and improving access to justice in Delta State.
Guwor said the proposed increase in the number of High Court judges was necessary to address growing caseloads and reduce pressure on existing judicial officers.
“It is my strong belief that this increase will reduce the pressure of case loads on our Judges and ultimately enhance the effective administration of Justice in our dear State,” the Speaker said.
The Assembly also passed the Delta State Customary Court of Appeal (Amendment) Bill, which Guwor said would strengthen the structure and operations of the court while facilitating faster and more efficient justice delivery.
“This amendment will enhance justice delivery in the Customary Court of Appeal system. Thank you for the quick passage of this Bill,” he said.
Guwor also commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for forwarding the two bills to the House, describing the initiative as timely and necessary to reposition the state’s justice sector.
According to a statement by the Speaker’s Chief Press Secretary, Nkem Nwaeke, the bills are designed to provide the courts with additional manpower and a stronger institutional framework to meet the increasing demand for justice in the state.
The Speaker praised the cooperation between the executive and legislative arms of the state government, assuring that the Assembly would continue to pursue legislation aimed at decongesting court dockets and ensuring the speedy determination of cases.
The two bills will now be transmitted to Governor Oborevwori for assent before they can become law.
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