TheCable

The house of representatives has asked the federal government to appoint judges to fill the vacancies at the supreme court.

The lower legislative chamber said the deficit in the number of judges at the apex court must be addressed for effective and efficient justice delivery as well as quick determination of cases.

The green chamber passed the resolution during Thursday’s plenary session after the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Patrick Umoh, a lawmaker representing Ikot Ekpene/Obot Akara/Essien Udim federal constituency in Akwa Ibom.

The number of justices in the supreme court was reduced to 11 after Amina Augie retired in September.

According to section 230 of the constitution, a maximum of 21 judges are to serve at the apex court.

At the valedictory session held in her honour last month, Augie decried the workload that the judges at the supreme court have to deal with.

She also said a constitutional amendment is needed to limit the cases that come up to the court.

She stressed that the supreme court “justices should be able to focus on what truly matters”.

‘SUPREME COURT JUDGES UNDER IMMENSE PRESSURE’

While leading the debate on the motion, Umoh said the 11 judges left at the apex court are under “immense mental and physical pressure” due to the deficit.

“This is the post-election season where the court has to hear and determine electoral matters from different parts of the country within a short period as mandated by the constitution,” the lawmaker said.

“The supreme court’s docket is full for the year 2023 as parties cannot have hearing dates for matters filed within the year, except in election petitions, owing to a considerable volume of matters pending before the court.

“Non-appointment of new justices to the supreme court has stalled expeditious, effective and efficient justice delivery, impeded transactions and economic development, limited citizens’ access to justice, put the current justices of the court under immense mental and physical pressure and has affected the policy-making function of the court.”

Supporting the motion, Ben Kalu, the deputy speaker, who presided over the plenary, said the supreme court needs “more hands to get the job done”.

The motion was adopted by the lawmakers when it was put to a voice vote by Kalu.

The house mandated the committee on judiciary to endure compliance with the resolution.