The [Ebonyi State House of Assembly](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebonyi_State_House_of_Assembly) voted in plenary at the Legislative Complex, Nkaliki Road, Abakaliki, to amend the 2009 High Court Law of Ebonyi State, raising the authorised number of High Court judges from 25 to 50 and setting a mandatory retirement age of 70 for the Chief Judge and other judges, subject to constitutional provisions.
**What does the amendment propose?**
- Increase the bench of High Court judges to fifty.
- Require the Chief Judge and all state judges to retire upon reaching seventy years of age.
- Provide a statutory framework for succession and continuity within the state judiciary.
**Why was the increase deemed necessary?**
Speaker Chief Moses Ije Odunwa, presenting a letter from Governor [Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Ogbonna_Nwifuru), explained that the move is intended to strengthen the administration of justice by ensuring the High Court is adequately staffed to manage the growing volume and complexity of cases. He added that the larger roster would enhance efficiency and enable timely dispensation of justice.
Chief Whip Chief Nkemka Okoro Onuma supported the measure, stating that it would facilitate more effective judicial proceedings and promote fair, prompt justice across the state. A motion moved by Onuma and seconded by Barr. Aloysius Nwodo led the House to resolve into a Committee of the Whole for detailed consideration, after which the plenary received the committee’s report and affirmed the Bill.
**What other measures were approved?**
In the same sitting, members endorsed Governor Nwifuru’s proposal to appoint financial consultants tasked with identifying, reconciling, and recovering funds and refunds owed to Ebonyi State, as well as assessing the Federal Government’s Infrastructure Fund Allocation to the state.
The Speaker instructed Clerk Mrs. Edene Uche Blessing to formally forward the passed Bill to the governor for assent, signalling the next step toward implementation.