By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata
The House of Representatives has reaffirmed its commitment to overhauling the judicial system in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with a strong focus on reforms aimed at delivering faster and more equitable justice for all residents.
This commitment was highlighted during a public hearing held on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, where two key legislative proposals were discussed. One bill seeks to amend the Constitution to increase the number of judges serving in the FCT, while the other proposes the creation of lower courts to handle both civil and criminal cases.
Rep. Adamu Gamawa, Chairman of the House Committee on the Judiciary (FCT), stated that these initiatives are part of the 10th House’s broader agenda to ensure fair and affordable access to justice for all FCT residents, regardless of their background or social status.
“It is the vision of the Hon. Speaker that justice in the FCT is accessible and affordable to everyone,” Gamawa emphasized. “No one should feel compelled to take the law into their own hands when justice can be delivered swiftly and fairly.”
He stressed the importance of strengthening the judiciary to restore public trust, adding that the proposed reforms are designed to ease the caseload on existing judges and enhance the overall efficiency of the system.
Speaker of the House, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, represented by Deputy Minority Leader Rep. Aliyu Madaki, described the hearing as a crucial milestone in the pursuit of comprehensive judicial reforms. He reaffirmed the House’s dedication to upholding the rule of law and modernizing justice delivery mechanisms in the FCT.
Also speaking at the hearing, President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Afam Osigwe (SAN), endorsed the proposed reforms but urged lawmakers to revisit certain provisions in customary law. Specifically, he recommended the removal of Section 16 of the Principal Act for a more robust legal framework.
The hearing concluded with a palpable sense of shared optimism among stakeholders, as momentum builds towards meaningful judicial reform in the FCT.
