The Enugu State Government has commended the Court of Appeal for holding a special sitting in Enugu, aimed at improving the state’s justice system. Dr. Kingsley Tochi Udeh, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, praised the Court of Appeal’s commitment to justice during the special sitting, which was presided over by Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem CFR.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The special sitting, which took place from January 6 to 10, 2025, involved 15 justices from various divisions hearing and concluding 80 appeal cases in the Enugu Division. This move is expected to expedite justice, decongest the court’s docket, and establish more legal precedents that will enrich Nigerian jurisprudence.
Dr. Udeh highlighted the positive outcomes of the special sittings, including the resumption of Monday court sittings after a four-year suspension due to security concerns. He also noted that the decongestion of the court’s docket will accelerate the resolution of long-pending legal matters.
“Justice delayed is justice denied,” Dr. Udeh stated. “This special sitting would not only expedite justice but will ensure its swift and transparent delivery.”
Dr. Udeh also 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 (SAN).
Declaring the Court open for the year, the Honourable President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem CFR, welcomed legal practitioners and stakeholders to the new year, stressing her personal connection to the state, having previously served in the Enugu Division in 2003 and 2019-2020.
Hon. 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 are scheduled for hearing and determination. Hon. Justice Dongban-Mensem encouraged lawyers and litigants to take full advantage of this opportunity to achieve prompt resolutions.
The PCA stressed on the importance of avoiding conflicting judgments, revealing that the rigorous conference process—where Justices sit together to carefully deliberate on cases—will be closely followed under the leadership of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun GCFR. “This approach guarantees consistency in our rulings, strengthening public trust in the judiciary,” she added.
The President of the Court of Appeal urged legal professionals to familiarize themselves with the Court of Appeal’s rules to ensure smooth and efficient proceedings. Both Hon. Justice Dongban-Mensem and Hon. Attorney General, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, expressed optimism that the special sittings will set a positive precedent for the year, strengthening the justice system and promoting unity within Nigeria’s legal community.