The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Justice John Terhembe Tsoho, on Monday, revealed that 135,592 cases are pending at its divisions across the nation.
Justice Tsoho, who made the remarks during the Federal High Court’s legal year on Monday, also stated that the court now has 77 Judges throughout its Divisions, implying that they will have a tremendous task to deal with by 2023.
“The 2020/2021 legal year officially closed in July 2021, with a total number of 131,821 cases pending at end of that legal year and carried over to the 2021/2022 legal year, (i.e. September 2021 – June 2022).
“Within that legal year, a total of 17,677 cases were filed, while the total number of cases disposed of was 13,906. When this is added to the total number of cases carried over from the previous year which is 131,821, we have a total of 135, 592 cases pending at the end of the legal year,” the CJ said.
According to him, the total number of cases pending before the court is 41 788 civil cases, 31,832 criminal cases, 39,799 motions, and fundamental rights enforcement petitions.
He noted that four judges retired this year, even though six judicial officers were assigned to help relieve the pressure.
But Justice Tsoho said that even with the addition of those appointed, the current number of Federal High Court judges which stands at 77, is still “short of the constitutionally set limit of one hundred (100).
He did, however, imply that more officials are being nominated as judges.
The end-of-the-year celebration began with a recognition of God’s guidance at the Al Noor mosque and the Holy Trinity Catholic Church Maitama, where the officiating Rev Father urged legal practitioners, particularly judges, to always remember the ethics of the profession while recognizing Christian principles, especially as the country prepares for the 2023 elections.
The Rev Father reiterated the importance of sticking to the truth and the correct principle.
The Lawyers then proceeded to the Federal High Court Headquarters, where the celebration continued with a parade by the Nigeria Police, followed by a special court session, with Judges of the Federal High Court, both past and present, in attendance.