“Lagos Accounts For Significant Portion Of Litigation Nationwide” — Court Of Appeal President

 — Deploys 40 Justices To Hear 360 Appeals In Special Anniversary Sitting

The Court of Appeal has embarked on an unprecedented judicial intervention, convening a special sitting in Lagos with 360 appeals scheduled for hearing as part of activities commemorating its 50th anniversary.

The special session, presided over by the President of the Court of Appeal (PCA), Justice Monica Bolna’an Dongban-Mensem, represents a deliberate and strategic move to tackle the growing backlog of appeals and improve the pace of justice delivery in Nigeria’s commercial nerve center.

• 360 appeals listed for hearing
• 16 panels constituted for the exercise
• 40 Justices drawn from different divisions nationwide
• Week-long duration of special sitting
• 2 venues: Court of Appeal premises and National Industrial Court Complex

Justice Dongban-Mensem noted that Lagos, being Nigeria’s commercial hub, accounts for a significant portion of litigation nationwide, making it imperative for the appellate court to deploy special measures to prevent delays and ensure timely resolution of cases.

According to the PCA, the initiative serves a dual purpose: addressing case congestion while providing Justices from other divisions exposure to the diverse and complex matters commonly handled by the Lagos Division, which may not be prevalent in their regular postings.

“The arrangement is intended to maximise the use of available court infrastructure and judicial manpower while enhancing efficiency in the hearing and determination of appeals,” Justice Dongban-Mensem explained.

The President of the Court of Appeal expressed appreciation to the Lagos Division for hosting the visiting Justices and providing both courtroom and residential accommodation, describing the support as a demonstration of institutional cooperation and goodwill within the judiciary. She added, light-heartedly, that the court looks forward to improved funding that would enable it to extend similar gestures in the future.

Justice Dongban-Mensem revealed that all 360 appeals listed for the special sitting were ready for hearing and urged legal practitioners and litigants to take advantage of the opportunity by ensuring that their court processes were properly filed and free of defects. She cautioned counsel against bringing avoidable delays to the proceedings, stressing the need for thorough preparation before appearing in court.

Reacting to the development, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, described the sitting as a rare and significant moment for members of the Lagos Bar, noting that it was unprecedented to have Justices from several divisions of the Court of Appeal sitting simultaneously in Lagos.

“This is a commendable initiative by the President of the Court of Appeal to reduce the backlog of cases. We assure the court of the Bar’s full cooperation in ensuring speedy and orderly hearings,” Adegboruwa stated.

The senior advocate congratulated the Court of Appeal on its Golden Jubilee, acknowledging its contributions to the development of jurisprudence and the administration of justice in Nigeria over the years.

While noting the persistent challenges facing the judiciary, particularly in the area of funding and infrastructure, Adegboruwa said the Bar would continue to engage and support the judiciary in advocating improved facilities and better resourcing for the courts.

He further praised the sacrifice made by the visiting Justices, who had temporarily relocated from their home divisions for the exercise, and offered prayers for strength, wisdom and safe journeys as they carried out their duties in Lagos.

The post “Lagos Accounts For Significant Portion Of Litigation Nationwide” — Court Of Appeal President appeared first on TheNigeriaLawyer.