Federal High Court Celebrates 50 Years, Over 140,000 Pending Cases Celebrate Too
Justice John Tsoho, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court (FHC), revealed on Monday that the court is grappling with a staggering 144,910 pending cases at the close of the 2022/2023 legal year.
Speaking in Abuja during a special court session marking the commencement of the 2023/2024 legal year and the Golden Jubilee celebration of the court’s 50 years, Justice Tsoho disclosed that 15,025 new cases were filed in the past legal year, with 12,870 cases disposed of.
The backlog of cases includes 42,784 civil cases, 36,061 criminal cases, 41,447 motions, and 24,618 applications for fundamental rights enforcement.
Despite the challenging caseload, Justice Tsoho emphasized that the court must maintain its status as a symbol of integrity and impartiality, serving as a beacon of hope for Nigerians seeking justice.
He highlighted the growth of the court since its inception, evolving from one court and five judges in Lagos to 38 judicial divisions with 95 judges nationwide.
Justice Tsoho commended the current judges and urged them to continue dispensing justice without fear or favour.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, urged the judges to recommit to justice, integrity, and the rule of law.
Represented by Alkali Tijani-Gazali, SAN, Fagbemi acknowledged the challenges faced by the judges and praised their dedication to the justice system.
Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), commended the judges for their efforts but expressed concern about the public’s negative perception of the judiciary due to the actions of some legal practitioners.
He called for strict punishment for erring lawyers to restore public trust.
As the Federal High Court celebrates its 50th anniversary, the legal community hopes for continued dedication to justice amid the mounting caseload challenges.
Source: Peoples Gazette
