The House of Representatives at its plenary session of Wednesday, 19 May 2021, passed for second reading, the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking to provide for timely dispensation and completion of criminal matters handled by a Judge of High Court before elevation to the Court of Appeal (HB 841)
Leading the debate, Hon. Luke Onofiok (PDP: Akwa Ibom) stated that the current practices where Judges of the High Court stall criminal matters being considered as a result of an advancement to the Court of Appeal has given rise to delay in the dispensation of justice, and is a waste of time and resources.
According to Hon. Onofiok, the Bill seeks to amend section 6 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) by inserting a new subsection 7 and 9 in order to:
- allow a Judge who has been elevated to the Court of Appeal to continue hearing the criminal matter he adjudicated while at the High Court;
- expedite the dispensation of justice and eliminate delays; and
- prevent unnecessary costs incurred by parties to criminal proceedings.
The Bill has been referred to the Ad-hoc Committee on Constitution Review for further legislative action.
