By Emman Ovuakporie

ABUJA— CHIEF Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, yesterday, submitted a bill containing 52 constitutional amendment proposals to the House of Representatives on reforms in the Nigerian judiciary.

The out-going CJN, who made the presentation at a working visit to the House leadership said: “This Bill is an important step in our comprehensive plan to reposition and reform the judiciary to meet the expectations of Nigerians.”

On the proposals, Musdapher said: “The appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court has been altered by providing that appeals from the Court of Appeal on interlocutory decisions and other matters shall only be by leave of the Supreme Court;

“The composition of the National Judicial Council and the Federal Judicial Service Commission has also been altered to ensure greater balance; the process of removal of judicial officers has also been streamlined to ensure a greater degree of fairness; the old Section 295, regarding reference on questions of law has been deleted as it has been identified as a means to stall the swiftness of the trial process;

“The jurisdiction of the Supreme Court was also expanded to include an Advisory Jurisdiction on application by the President or a governor on questions of law or fact that are of such importance that it is expedient to obtain an opinion of the Supreme Court on it.”

Musdapher added that “Procedural Rules are also being looked into with a view to achieving some uniformity in the applicable rules of the Federal High Courts and states High Courts as well as appellate courts to ensure speedy dispensation of justice. These rules are designed initially to aid litigants in ensuring justice and fair play.

“However, over the years, the Procedural Laws have been found to be inhibitive rather than assisting in the attainment of justice. It is anticipated that consequential amendments will also be subsequently made to the Practice and Procedural Rules by the various Heads of Court, as empowered by the relevant provisions of the constitution and the applicable statutes.”

Receiving the proposals, Tambuwal commen-ded the CJN for presenting them personally to the House, saying it was the first time a CJN was making this kind of move.

Promising swift consideration of the proposed amendments, the Speaker said the Bill would serve very useful purposes in sanitising the Nigerian justice system.