HB. 1704-A BILL FOR AN ACT TO ALTER THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, 1999 TO PROVIDE FOR COMPLETION OF PART-HEARD CASES BY ELEVATED JUDGES AND FOR RELATED MATTER. Bill Sponsor: Hon. Mansur Manu Soro. Bill Progress: Committee Stage
This Bill seeks to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to
provide for completion of part-heard cases by elevated judges; to ensure efficiency in dispensation of justice and address challenges of abandoned partly-heard cases due to elevation of judges.
The rationale behind this proposed amendment addresses a critical challenge within the current judicial system with the objective of enhancing the efficiency of the judicial process. When judges are promoted to higher courts, it often leads to delays in the legal process, as their ongoing cases may be reassigned to different judges. Consequently, this reassignment can result in abandoned cases or necessitate restarting legal proceedings, which increases costs and prolongs the timeline for justice.
By permitting judges to conclude the cases they were previously handling before their elevation, Bill HB. 1704 aims to streamline the judicial process. The intention is to prevent disruptions that arise from judicial promotions, thereby facilitating quicker and more efficient delivery of justice. Lawmakers believe that this change could significantly improve the overall functioning of the judiciary, making it more responsive to the needs of citizens seeking legal redress.
As the bill moves forward, discussions will continue around its potential impacts and the broader implications for the Nigerian legal system. Advocates for the amendment argue that it represents an essential step toward enhancing judicial efficiency and ultimately improving public confidence in the judiciary.
