In recent years, calls for judicial reform in many democracies have grown louder. A significant proposal gaining attention is the introduction of a bill to expand the number of Justices of the Supreme Court, not merely as a political maneuver but as a measure to enhance the court’s service efficiency, promote timely dispensation of justice, improve citizens’ access to legal remedies, and ensure conformity with Federal Character principles—a concept aimed at equitable representation of the country’s diverse population.
Background and Rationale
Most supreme courts around the world operate with a fixed number of justices, determined by legislation or constitutional provisions. In countries with large populations and complex legal systems, a limited number of justices often leads to overwhelming case backlogs and protracted timelines for verdicts. Nigeria’s Supreme Court, for instance, has grappled with an overburdened docket, with just 21 authorized justices tasked with resolving disputes arising from a nation of over 200 million people.
This burden affects not just the pace at which cases are resolved, but also the quality and depth of judicial deliberations. By expanding the number of justices, the court can be better positioned to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities more effectively and equitably.
Enhancing Service Efficiency and Timely Dispensation of Justice
One of the core goals of the proposed bill co-sponsored by Hon Mansur Soro and Hon Oluwole Oke is to enhance service efficiency in the judiciary. More justices would allow the Supreme Court to sit in multiple panels concurrently, thereby addressing more cases within a shorter timeframe. Currently, delays in delivering justice can span several years, often undermining the confidence of the public in the judicial process.
An expanded bench would also facilitate the distribution of workload, which in turn could improve the quality of judgments. Rather than overburdening a small group of justices with hundreds of appeals and constitutional matters, an enlarged court could delegate cases to more specialized panels, enabling more thorough and context-sensitive adjudication.
Improving Citizens’ Access to Justice
Timely justice is a fundamental human right. When courts are congested, the cost of litigation rises, and marginalized populations find it increasingly difficult to pursue justice. The backlog at the Supreme Court often results in cases being struck out for lack of diligent prosecution or remaining pending for decades.
By increasing the number of justices, the court can hear more appeals from lower courts and settle disputes involving fundamental human rights, electoral matters, and economic development issues in a more prompt manner. This reform aligns with the principle that justice delayed is justice denied.
Moreover, a more responsive and efficient judiciary strengthens democracy, reinforces the rule of law, and fosters national development by ensuring legal clarity and predictability in the enforcement of contracts and the protection of rights.
Conforming with Federal Character Principles
Another vital aspect of the bill is to ensure compliance with the Federal Character principle, a constitutional doctrine in Nigeria that mandates equitable representation of all ethnic, regional, and religious groups in public institutions. The current structure of the Supreme Court sometimes falls short of this requirement due to the limited number of seats.
An expanded bench would provide the opportunity to appoint justices from currently underrepresented zones and states, thus fostering national unity and a sense of belonging among the diverse citizenry. When citizens see themselves reflected in national institutions, especially in organs that are meant to arbitrate justice, their trust in those institutions grows.
Federal Character, when properly implemented, does not imply lowering standards, but ensuring that all parts of the country are given fair opportunities in the nation-building process, including the judiciary.
Potential Challenges and Safeguards
While the expansion of the Supreme Court brings numerous benefits, it is essential to ensure that the reform is not exploited for political gains, such as “court-packing” to influence judicial outcomes. To guard against such risks, the bill should include transparent, merit-based criteria for the appointment of new justices and maintain the independence of the judiciary through strong institutional checks.
Additionally, there must be commensurate investments in judicial infrastructure, staffing, and legal research resources to support the larger bench. Simply increasing the number of justices without enhancing institutional capacity could lead to inefficiencies.
Conclusion
A bill to expand the number of Supreme Court justices presents a timely and necessary intervention in addressing the growing challenges faced by the judiciary in populous and diverse nations. By improving service efficiency, ensuring the timely dispensation of justice, enhancing access for ordinary citizens, and conforming with Federal Character principles, such a reform would contribute significantly to building a more just, equitable, and united nation.
As judicial reform continues to dominate national conversations, it is imperative that policymakers, civil society, and the legal community approach the bill with a shared commitment to strengthening the judiciary—not just in structure, but in spirit and function.
