NBA Rejects Proposed Supreme Court Expansion, Calls for Judicial Reforms Instead

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has firmly opposed recent suggestions to increase the number of Supreme Court justices, labeling the proposal as a misguided solution to the nation's judicial challenges. 

NBA President Yakubu Maikyau made the association's position clear during an emergency meeting of senior advocates in Abuja, arguing that Nigeria's judicial problems require systemic reforms rather than simply adding more justices to the apex court.  

The debate over Supreme Court expansion emerged after the Chief Justice of Nigeria hinted at possible changes to address the court's overwhelming caseload. Currently, with only 21 justices instead of the constitutionally allowed maximum of 21, the court handles over 1,500 cases annually - a situation many believe compromises judicial efficiency and the quality of rulings.  

Maikyau emphasized that merely increasing judicial numbers without addressing fundamental issues would prove ineffective. "Our problems stem from procedural bottlenecks, inadequate lower court capacity, and interlocutory appeals clogging the system," he stated. The NBA instead proposed comprehensive reforms including:  

1. Establishing constitutional courts to handle election disputes and reduce the Supreme Court's workload  

2. Implementing stricter filters for appeals reaching the apex court  

3. Expanding the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal to serve as final arbiter for certain matters  

4. Digitalizing court processes to improve efficiency  

The association's stance has received mixed reactions. While some legal scholars support the NBA's position, others argue that immediate expansion remains necessary to prevent further delays in justice delivery. "We need both more justices and systemic reforms," argued Professor Nnamdi Obiaraeri, a constitutional law expert at the University of Lagos.  

This controversy unfolds against the backdrop of increasing public frustration with Nigeria's judicial system, particularly regarding prolonged election cases and commercial disputes that deter foreign investment. The National Judicial Council is expected to review the NBA's recommendations as part of its ongoing efforts to revamp the country's justice administration framework.  

As the debate continues, legal practitioners across Nigeria await concrete actions that could reshape the nation's judicial landscape for years to come. The outcome may determine whether Nigeria's highest court can overcome its current challenges while maintaining the integrity and quality of its decisions.