Senator representing Osun Central Senatorial District and Chairman, Senate Committee on Diaspora, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Civil Societies, Dr. Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, has warned that the Supreme Court of Nigeria is overburdened.
Basiru, who raised the observation during a session of the Red Chamber, urged the Senate to review the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction to hear appeals.
He noted that despite the limited number of apex court justices, the Supreme Court still receives appeals from 72 Divisions of the Court of Appeal and the National Industrial Court.
According to him, this was unhealthy for the system and a review was urgently needed.
The Legal Practitioner turned Politician suggested retreats for senators on strategic areas of the competence of each committee, adding that for their legislative aides to assists them maximally, they must be adequately trained.
He said: “I suggest that there must be courses and retreats for senators on strategic areas of the competence of each of the committees. We were elected by our people, but all of us are not trained in all fields. For our legislative aides to assist us maximally there is need for training them.”
Basiru raised the need to assist the National Institute for Legislative Study, but he observed that the Senate needs to review how effective the Institute has been to the work of legislatures.
He stressed the need to set up an Adhoc committee working in partnership with the relevant committees and the executive, to set up a Law revision committee to have a law that is in line with current reality.
While the speaking on the issue of state police, the Lawmaker asked if it was out of place for state authorities to have such instrumentalities in place considering the population of the nation.
