2020/2021 Legal Year: 40,822 Civil Cases, 30,197 Criminal Cases Filed In Federal High Court In 10 Months, Says CJ Tsoho

The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja, Justice John Tsoho, says about 30,197 criminal cases were filed between September 2020 and June 2021.

Justice Tsoho disclosed this, on Thursday, while delivering a speech to formally declare the 2021/2022 legal year open in Abuja.

Tsoho, while enumerating the status of litigation within the period under review, said no fewer than 20,258 fundamental rights enforcement applications were still pending at the end of June.

The Chief Judge, who said about 6,915 cases were disposed of during the year, said a total number of 128,234 cases were still pending at the end of the legal year.

“It is apt to state at this juncture the status of litigation before this court in the past legal year. The 2020/2021 legal year officially closed in July 2021. Within that year (September 2020–June 2021), a total of 8,309 cases were filed.

“There were 40,822 civil cases; 30,197 criminal cases; 35,563 motions and 20,258 fundamental rights enforcement applications pending at the end of the legal year,” he said.

He said the COVID-19 pandemic and the strike action embarked upon by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) between April 6 and June 14 hampered the last legal year.

He noted that after the nominal improvement in the control of the coronavirus, more cases were filed and the dockets of the judges became enormously loaded.

Tsoho said as part of the effort to enhance high calibre service delivery, the management was in the process of appointing six judges and 15 more judicial officers.

“As I stated in the past, I am focused on my resolve to enhance effective administration of justice, the welfare of judges and staff, and the overall management of the court, within the scope of the court’s resources.

“I promised to continue to improve on the achievements of my predecessors in office, in both human resources and infrastructural development, particularly, in the efficient and effective administration of justice, the welfare of judicial officers, as well as the support staff of this court based on Availability of funds,” he said.

The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, said in spite of the challenges, the FHC had ensured justice delivery within the time frame.

Malami, represented by the acting Director, Civil Appeals, Tijani Gazali, commended the Chief Judge on his leadership prowess.

He thanked the court for the effort in straightening the country’s justice system, especially the recent declaration of banditry as a terrorist organisation.

According to him, this will further strengthen the fight against banditry in this part of the world.