Chief Judge (CJ) of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, has said the court carried over 152,469 cases from the previous year.

He explained that during the 2024/2025 legal year, 13,648 new cases were filed, and 10,148 cases disposed of, leaving a backlog of 155,969 cases carried into the current legal year.

Tsoho revealed the figures during the special legal year session held in Abuja, where he detailed the court’s performance metrics.

Of the pending cases, 43,030 are civil matters, 41,335 are criminal cases, 28,760 involve fundamental rights enforcement, and 42,844 consist of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) cases, petitions, and motions.

He said despite the heavy workload, the court recorded significant achievements.

The CJ attributed the accomplishments to the appointment of 23 additional judges late last year, which he added, had a visible impact on the court’s operations.

“We have done well in the face of our enormous jurisdiction, notwithstanding that eight of our judges were elevated to the Court of Appeal Bench within the period under review,” Tsoho added.

He also identified key advancements, including the adoption of two pivotal practice directions: the Federal High Court (Cape Town Convention and Aircraft Protocol) Practice Directions, 2024, and the Federal High Court (Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria) Proceedings Rules, 2024.

Tsoho explained that the Cape Town Convention practice directions align with international standards, ensuring the enforcement of contracts of sale, security interests, leases, and conditional sale agreements.

He emphasised that the initiative enhanced Nigeria’s appeal as a global business hub, by promoting uniformity and predictability.

The CJ added that the AMCON proceedings rules provide a specialised framework for resolving non-performing loans and facilitating a more efficient and transparent process for all stakeholders.