The Federal High Court marks 50 years of justice delivery in the Nigerian judicial system on Thursday, April 13.
The court which was previously the ‘Federal Revenue Court’, was established on April 13, 1973. It was established by the Federal Revenue Act 1973 (1973 No.13) and began with four judges with a president as its head.
However, the court was renamed the ‘Federal High Court’ by Section 228 (1) and 230 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1979.
Its first president was Honourable Justice S.O. Lambo and served between 1973 and 1975. Justice John Tsoho is the 10th and current Chief Judge of FHC.
The court presently has divisions in all the states of the federation, including Abuja, where its headquarters is located.
Recently, the court launched an electronic filing platform as part of its drive for capacity and human development.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Justice Tsoho, while delivering a speech at a special court session to mark the commencement of the court’s 2022/2023 Legal Year on December 12, 2022, said in response to the enormous time-bound responsibility by the new Electoral Act, he constituted a special task force of judges for the swift disposal of pre-election matters.
Bearing in mind that Section 285 (10) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) provides that pre-election cases must be concluded within 180 days from the date of filing of the suit, the CJ drafted judges from their substantive bases to help complete all pre-election cases in other judicial divisions that had a glut of these cases ahead of the 2023 general elections.
He, therefore, commended the judges for their resilience and sheer determination to deliver justice within the time frame.
Additionally, he also thanked the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, for approving an emergency fund to support the court in the assignment.
Tsoho, during one of the programmes for the 2022/2023 Legal Year, assured judges and staff of a better welfare package.
He, therefore, urged the judges to always discharge their duties with the fear of God.
