The House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has pledged to deploy legislative measures to ensure quicker and more efficient delivery of justice in the FCT.
Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Adamu Gamawa, made this known on Wednesday in Abuja during a public hearing on two significant bills aimed at reforming the FCT’s judicial system.
One of the bills seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to increase the number of judges serving in the FCT, while the second proposes the establishment of additional lower courts with jurisdiction over both civil and criminal matters.
Gamawa emphasized the importance of a robust judiciary to promote timely resolution of cases, stressing that “justice delayed is justice denied.” He reiterated the vision of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas to make justice accessible and affordable to all residents of the FCT.
“It is the vision of the Hon Speaker that access to justice becomes a right enjoyed by all. No one should feel compelled to resort to self-help because the system is too slow to deliver justice,” Gamawa stated.
In a message delivered by Deputy Minority Leader Hon. Aliyu Madaki, Speaker Abbas reaffirmed the 10th House’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and improving the justice system through legislative support.
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe, also lent his voice at the hearing, praising the proposed legislation and affirming the NBA’s full support.
“These bills are a welcome development and a step in the right direction toward strengthening judicial institutions and enhancing public confidence in the justice system,” Osigwe noted.
The public hearing marks a crucial step in the legislative process aimed at transforming the judiciary in the nation’s capital and ensuring justice is served without unnecessary delays.
