Representatives review deadlines for filing in civil and criminal courts
A bill that aims to establish a time limit for various categories of courts in Nigeria during which they must administer justice in criminal and civil cases before they are passed on a second reading in the House of Representatives.
“This bill seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to establish time frames within which civil, criminal and court cases and cases are tried and resolved in courts and courts of appeal in order to avoid unnecessary delays in the administration and administration of justice.” – says in the explanatory note to the legislation.
Onofiok Luke, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, who sponsored the bill, said that when the bill becomes law, “it will completely change the face of justice in Nigeria for the benefit of all.”
Leading the debate on the bill, Luc said, in part: “It is very gratifying that this proposal is presented precisely in this legislative chamber, which is known to be in favor of the people. The pace of administration of justice in Nigeria is alarmingly slow. On average, cases are considered at least five to 15 years prior to judgment and sentencing. The rapid pace of the administration of justice has caused immense suffering, inconvenience and despair for litigants, investors and businesses.
“People only know the date of going to court, but they don’t know when their cases will be resolved. The failure of our judicial system to provide justice for people within a reasonable time frame has caused great frustration on the part of people and forced them to resort to self-help. The slow administration of justice is an obstacle to industrialization and foreign investment in Nigeria. ”
The legislator also noted that there are so many suspects in the criminal process that they “melt”, which leads to an overload of correctional facilities and case lists in our courtrooms.
President Femi Gbajabiamila, noting that there are some issues in the bill that need to be addressed, said the House of Representatives’ Constitutional Review Commission, led by Vice President Ahmed Wase, would consider the proposal.
The bill, approved in the first reading in the House of Representatives on September 29, 2020, seeks, inter alia, to amend Chapter VII, Part IV of the Basic Law by adding a new subsection “A” to Section 287.
The higher courts have to render their ruling from 270 to 330 days, while the lower courts give their rulings from 210 to 270 days.
Source: – Punch ng
