Parliament has passed the Tribunals Bill, 2026, following an extended sitting that concluded in the early hours of the morning.
The approval proceeded without the participation of the Minority, who boycotted the proceedings.
The Bill, now awaiting presidential assent, authorises the creation of Regional and District Tribunals to handle specialised criminal matters, including illegal mining, tax evasion, customs fraud, and economic offences against the state.
The government maintains that this framework is essential for accelerating judicial proceedings in high-stakes cases and reducing court congestion.
Despite this, the Bill has attracted criticism from legal observers and opposition figures, who have raised concerns about potential political interference and the adequacy of measures to protect judicial autonomy.
Earlier this year, Attorney-General Dr Dominic Ayine presented the legislation, noting that it would reintroduce tribunals with enhanced oversight and constitutional protections.
The Bill was subsequently reviewed by the Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee and the Judiciary Committee before its final passage. It now moves to the presidency for final endorsement.
