600,000 cases out of over 700,000 complaints received in 2025 – Senate Seeks Urgent Recruitment of Judges for PCC
The Senate has called for the immediate recruitment of additional judges for the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) following revelations that the agency adjudicated more than 600,000 cases out of over 700,000 complaints received in 2025.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions, Neda Imasuen, made the demand on Tuesday during the presentation of the 2026 budget estimates for agencies under the committee’s oversight. He described the commission’s current eight judges as grossly inadequate to cope with the rising volume of grievances from Nigerians.
“There are only eight judges; eight judges cannot, will not, be able to do the needful as they are statutorily required to do. So there’s going to be hiring of judges as well,” Imasuen stated.
Established under the Public Complaints Commission Act of 1975, the PCC serves as Nigeria’s ombudsman, investigating administrative injustices and offering free redress against government ministries, departments and agencies, as well as private organisations.
The commission handles cases ranging from maladministration, abuse of office, wrongful termination, unpaid salaries and pensions, to land disputes and communal conflicts. It also mediates disputes between individuals and institutions, helping to prevent escalation into litigation or wider crises.
According to Imasuen, the commission’s performance record demonstrates both its relevance and the mounting pressure on its limited workforce.
“Over 700,000 cases came to the agency, PCC, and over 600,000 of those cases were adjudicated. Communal issues that would have created problems were resolved but didn’t make the headlines. The PCC is working. These are cases from ordinary Nigerians; they do it free, they don’t charge them, and the adjudication is also very quick,” he said.
Unlike the regular courts, the PCC provides its services at no cost, making it one of the most accessible justice platforms for citizens who cannot afford prolonged legal battles. With offices in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, the commission operates as a grassroots complaint-resolution body.
The senator further noted that the number of petitions reaching his committee through lawmakers suggests that the overall volume of cases handled nationwide by the PCC could be significantly higher.
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“If we can project the number of cases we get from the distinguished senators to my committee, then we can probably imagine how many of those cases go to these offices in all of the 36 states and in our local governments,” he added.
The Senate’s called for additional judges is expected to form a key consideration in the 2026 budget process, as lawmakers seek to strengthen the commission’s capacity to deliver timely and accessible justice to Nigerians.
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