Enchantment Court docket President Requires Nationwide Judicial Institute to Develop into College
The President of the Court docket of Enchantment, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, has made a proper case for a big structural change in Nigeria’s judicial coaching system.
Talking in Abuja on Friday throughout a particular courtroom session, the senior jurist referred to as on the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, to transition the Nationwide Judicial Institute (NJI) right into a full-fledged college.
Justice Dongban-Mensem argued that such a change is critical to harness the wealth of expertise held by retired judicial officers.
She famous that many jurists who depart the bench as a result of obligatory retirement age nonetheless possess immense mental worth that would profit the nation.
Based on her, a judicial college would supply a structured platform for these veteran authorized minds to mentor the following technology and contribute to the expansion of the judiciary via analysis and superior instructing.
The attraction was made throughout a ceremony marking the Court docket of Enchantment’s Golden Jubilee and the valedictory session for Justice Hamma Akawu Barka.
Justice Barka, the Presiding Justice of the Abuja Division, is ready to formally retire on April 17, 2026, upon reaching the age of 70.
Whereas praising Justice Barka’s 40-year profession, Dongban-Mensem described him as a “gentleman of the best order” who served with a deep sense of obligation throughout varied divisions, together with Benin, Ilorin, Akure, and Calabar.
She pressured that the exit of such skilled arms highlights the necessity for an establishment the place their knowledge may be preserved and shared.
Past the decision for institutional reform, the President supplied an replace on the courtroom’s latest efforts to deal with its heavy workload. She revealed that as a part of the Fiftieth-anniversary actions, the courtroom established 21 particular panels. These panels, consisting of 63 justices, efficiently heard a complete of 330 appeals involving civil, prison, and industrial disputes.
The particular sittings have been held throughout the Court docket of Enchantment Headquarters, the Abuja Division, and different courtrooms supplied by the FCT judiciary.
Justice Dongban-Mensem thanked varied stakeholders for his or her assist in the course of the train, noting that the collaboration was important given the present infrastructure and logistical challenges going through the appellate courtroom.
In his response, the retiring Justice Barka expressed his appreciation to his colleagues and the authorized group.
He assured these current that regardless of his upcoming retirement, he stays dedicated to the authorized occupation and will likely be out there to supply skilled steerage at any time when referred to as upon by the nation.