By Jeff Agbodo, Abakaliki
ABAKALIKI — The Ebonyi State House of Assembly has passed a Bill seeking to amend the High Court Law of Ebonyi State, 2009, to increase the number of High Court judges in the state from 25 to 50.
The Bill also proposes that the Chief Judge and judges of the state retire at the age of 70, subject to applicable constitutional provisions governing the appointment, tenure and retirement of judicial officers.
The legislation was passed during plenary at the Legislative Complex, Nkaliki Road, Abakaliki, presided over by the Speaker, Chief Moses Ije Odunwa.
Presenting a letter from Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, the Speaker said the proposed amendment was aimed at strengthening the administration of justice by ensuring that the High Court was adequately staffed to handle the increasing volume and complexity of cases in the state.
According to him, increasing the number of judges would help improve the efficiency of the judiciary and facilitate timely dispensation of justice.
The Chief Whip, Chief Nkemka Okoro Onuma, said the passage of the Bill would facilitate more effective judicial proceedings and promote fair and timely justice in the state.
Following a motion moved by Onuma and seconded by Barr. Aloysius Nwodo, the House resolved into a Committee of the Whole to consider the provisions of the Bill and make the necessary legislative adjustments.
The House subsequently reconvened in plenary to receive the committee’s report.
Odunwa reiterated that the proposed increase in the number of judges was necessary because of the growing workload of the state judiciary.
“It further proposes that the Chief Judge and Judges of the State shall retire from office upon attaining the age of 70 years, subject always to the constitutional provisions governing the tenure, appointment and retirement of judicial officers,” he said.
The Speaker added that the amendment would provide a statutory framework for succession and continuity in the leadership of the state judiciary.
He directed the Clerk of the House, Mrs Edene Uche Blessing, to formally communicate the passage of the Bill to the governor.
Consultants for funds recovery
Meanwhile, the House approved a proposal by Governor Nwifuru for the appointment of financial consultants to identify, reconcile and recover funds and refunds due to Ebonyi State.
The consultants will also assess the Infrastructure Fund Allocation accruing to the state from the Federal Government.
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