The Ebonyi State House of Assembly has approved a Bill seeking to double the number of High Court judges in the state from 25 to 50.
The Bill, which seeks to amend the High Court Law of Ebonyi State, 2009, was passed during plenary at the Legislative Complex along Nkaliki Road, Abakaliki.
The sitting was presided over by the Speaker of the Assembly, Chief Moses Ije Odunwa.
The proposed amendment also provides for the retirement of the Chief Judge and other judges of the Ebonyi State High Court at the age of 70, subject to relevant constitutional provisions on the appointment, tenure and retirement of judicial officers.
Presenting a letter from Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, the Speaker said the proposed amendment was designed to strengthen the administration of justice by ensuring that the state judiciary has enough judges to handle the increasing number and complexity of cases.
According to Odunwa, increasing the number of High Court judges would improve judicial efficiency and support the timely determination of cases across the state.
The Chief Whip of the House, Chief Nkemka Okoro Onuma, also supported the legislation, saying the increase would enhance judicial proceedings and promote fair and speedy access to justice for residents of Ebonyi State.
Following a motion moved by Onuma and seconded by Barrister Aloysius Nwodo, the Assembly resolved into a Committee of the Whole to scrutinise the provisions of the Bill and make the necessary legislative adjustments.
The lawmakers later reconvened in plenary to consider and receive the committee’s report before passing the Bill.
“It further proposes that the Chief Judge and Judges of the State shall retire from office upon attaining the age of 70 years, subject always to the constitutional provisions governing the tenure, appointment and retirement of judicial officers,” the Speaker said.
Chief Nkemka Okoro Onuma
The Speaker subsequently directed the Clerk of the House, Mrs Edene Uche Blessing, to formally communicate the passage of the Bill to Governor Nwifuru.
Odunwa reiterated that the proposed increase in the number of judges had become necessary due to the growing workload confronting the Ebonyi State judiciary.
He said the amendment would also establish a clearer statutory framework for succession and continuity in the leadership of the state judiciary.
In a related development, the Ebonyi State House of Assembly approved Governor Nwifuru’s proposal to appoint financial consultants to identify, reconcile and recover funds and refunds due to the state.
The consultants are also expected to assess the Infrastructure Fund Allocation accruing to Ebonyi State from the Federal Government.
The move is part of efforts to identify funds owed to the state, reconcile outstanding financial claims and recover monies due to the Ebonyi State Government.
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