The President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, has cautioned judges of courts with coordinate jurisdiction against delivering conflicting judgments.
Justice Dongban-Mensem issued the warning during the commencement of the special sitting of the Court of Appeal in Enugu.
She emphasized the importance of the rigorous conference process, where justices deliberate collectively on cases, noting that this practice will be strictly upheld under the leadership of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
“This approach guarantees consistency in our rulings, strengthening public trust in the judiciary,” she stated.
She also urged legal practitioners to familiarize themselves with the Court of Appeal’s rules to ensure efficient court proceedings.
The special sitting, presided over by Justice Dongban-Mensem, involved 15 justices from various divisions of the Court of Appeal, organized into different panels.
These panels sat from January 6 to January 10, 2025, to hear and conclude 80 appeal cases in the Enugu Division, ensuring the swift dispensation of justice.
Declaring the court open for the year, Justice Dongban-Mensem welcomed legal professionals and stakeholders, reflecting on her personal connection to Enugu, where she had previously served in 2003 and between 2019 and 2020.
Justice Mensem emphasized the significance of the special sittings, noting that their purpose is to alleviate the court’s heavy case load and ensure the quick resolution of pending appeals.
“Having served here, I am well aware of the workload in this division, and I understand the pivotal role that Enugu State plays as a commercial centre.
“These sittings are designed to ensure timely hearings, bringing justice closer home for businesses and individuals,” she explained.
During the five-day special sitting, 80 appeals were scheduled for hearing and determination.
Justice Dongban-Mensem encouraged lawyers and litigants to take full advantage of the opportunity to achieve prompt resolutions.
Commissioner hails appellate court’s commitment to improved justice delivery
The Enugu State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, commended the Court of Appeal for its commitment to improving the state’s justice system.
The Attorney General highlighted the positive outcomes of the special sittings to include the resumption of Monday court sittings after a four-year suspension due to security concerns, the decongestion of the court’s docket and the establishment of more legal precedents that will enrich Nigerian jurisprudence.
He noted that the decongestion of the court’s docket will accelerate the resolution of long-pending legal matters.
Udeh stated that the special sitting would not only expedite justice but will ensure its swift and transparent delivery, noting that justice delayed is justice denied.
He acknowledged that the numerous judicial decisions that will be made during the special sittings will serve as key resources for lawyers pursuing the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
Both Hon. Justice Dongban-Mensem and Dr. Kingsley Udeh, expressed optimism that the special sittings would set a positive precedent for the year, strengthening the justice system and promoting unity within Nigeria’s legal community. Nation