The President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, revealed that the appellate court is grappling with a staggering backlog of 39,526 pending cases as it welcomed the 2023/2024 new legal year.
The court had a significant influx of 7,295 appeals and 3,665 motions during the previous legal year, according to reports by the News Agency of Nigeria.
“During the 2022/2023 legal year, a total of 7,295 appeals and 3,665 motions were filed in the 20 Divisions of the Court,” Justice Dongban-Mensem stated. “The court determined 3,765 cases and disposed of 5,617 motions; 1,030 of these appeals had been dismissed and 10,381 allowed.”
She continued, “The court still has a total of 39,526 Appeals pending as at 31st of August, 2023. This is an increase from 34,037 pending in the Court in the 2021/2022 Legal Year.”
The Justice also revealed that 98 panels were established across the country to handle 1,209 election petitions, including those related to presidential, senatorial, and House of Representatives elections.
Among these, five presidential election petitions had been concluded, with progress made on 147 senatorial election tribunal petitions and 417 House of Representatives election petitions.
Additionally, 557 petitions associated with State houses of Assembly and 83 gubernatorial election petitions were being addressed, with petitions arising from governorship elections in 28 states.
Highlighting challenges faced by the Abuja division, Justice Dongban-Mensem emphasized the pressing need for adequate storage facilities and office space. She appealed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to allocate land for the construction of the Abuja Division.
At the event, former Minister of Justice, Mr. Kanu Agabi, SAN, representing the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN), stressed the critical role of judicial officers in upholding transparency, maintaining principles, and preserving Nigeria’s stability.
He underscored the contributions of judicial officers in safeguarding the country from chaos and anarchy throughout the years.
| Sahara Reporters
