50th Anniversary: Appeal Court Schedules 360 Cases for Accelerated Hearing

The President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, on Monday presided over a special court sitting in Lagos, announcing that 360 appeals have been scheduled for hearing before 16 panels comprising 48 Justices, as part of efforts to reduce the backlog of cases.

The special session, held in Lagos where the Court of Appeal was first established, formed part of activities to mark the court’s 50th anniversary.

Justice Dongban-Mensem said the sitting demonstrated the court’s sustained commitment to improving efficiency in the administration of justice by tackling the increasing volume of appeals across its divisions. She noted that Lagos, being Nigeria’s commercial hub, naturally attracts a heavy appellate caseload, making proactive measures necessary.

She disclosed that the 48 Justices, drawn from various divisions nationwide, would sit throughout the week in Lagos and at the National Industrial Court to hear the listed appeals.

The Court of Appeal President expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Attorney-General’s office for its support in facilitating the exercise, noting that the court’s limited resources would not have been sufficient to accommodate the large number of Justices involved. She also acknowledged the National Industrial Court for providing courtroom and residential facilities.

Justice Dongban-Mensem urged lawyers and litigants to ensure their cases were ready for hearing and warned against delays that could undermine the purpose of the special sitting. She recalled a previous exercise where many appeals could not be heard due to lack of preparedness by counsel, despite the resources committed.

She stressed that the Lagos sitting was strictly for work, noting that several divisions were operating with fewer Justices during the period due to the deployment to Lagos. She appealed to legal practitioners to take full advantage of the opportunity by complying strictly with procedural rules.

The Court of Appeal President also called on lawyers, litigants and the media to help safeguard public confidence in the judiciary, warning that a loss of trust in the justice system could encourage lawlessness. She emphasised that justice delivery depends on evidence and active participation by parties and law enforcement agencies.

Addressing journalists, Justice Dongban-Mensem urged accuracy and professionalism in reporting court proceedings, advising the media to seek clarification where necessary to avoid misinformation.

In her closing remarks, she called on all stakeholders to uphold integrity and professionalism as the Court of Appeal marks its golden jubilee, stressing that justice must not only be done but be seen to be done.

Speaking on behalf of the Bar, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, described the special sitting as historic and commended the initiative of the Court of Appeal President. He assured the court of the Bar’s cooperation in ensuring the speedy hearing of cases, noting that it served the interests of both lawyers and their clients.

Adegboruwa also congratulated the Court of Appeal on its 50th anniversary and highlighted the judiciary’s funding and infrastructure challenges. He said the Bar would continue to work with the judiciary to advocate improved funding and expressed optimism over ongoing efforts to upgrade facilities at the Lagos Division.