HOR Renews Drive To Improve Access To Justice In FCT

The House of Representatives has renewed its drive to improve access to justice in the Federal Capital Territory, with lawmakers backing proposals to speed up the legal process and expand the judiciary.

During a public hearing in Abuja, the Chairman of the House Committee on FCT Judiciary, Adamu Gamawa, said two bills were under consideration one seeking a constitutional amendment to increase the number of judges in the territory, and another establishing lower courts with jurisdiction over civil and criminal matters.

Mr Gamawa said the House was committed to ensuring that justice is accessible and delivered without delay.

“It is the vision of the Speaker that access to justice becomes affordable and timely for everyone in the FCT,” he said, adding that timely justice would discourage people from taking the law into their own hands.

He stressed that strengthening the judicial system is key to restoring public trust in the rule of law, and called for constructive engagement during the public hearing to ensure the bills meet their objectives.

Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen, represented by Deputy Minority Leader Aliyu Madaki, said the hearing was an important step in delivering the much-needed judicial reforms.

He described the reform as both “necessary and urgent.”

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe, expressed support for the proposed legislation but called for the removal of Section 16 from the principal Act, citing concerns over aspects of the customary law.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji