Court of Appeal deploys 40 justices to fast-track cases in Lagos
The Court of Appeal has deployed 40 Justices to Lagos for a special sitting aimed at clearing a backlog of appeals and speeding up the delivery of justice. The initiative, which is part of activities marking the appellate court’s 50th anniversary, was announced by the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, during the opening of the session on Monday.
Justice Dongban-Mensem explained that Lagos, as Nigeria’s commercial hub, generates a heavy volume of litigation, creating a backlog that has strained the appellate system. To address this, the court constituted 16 panels made up of 40 Justices drawn from various divisions across the country. The panels are scheduled to sit throughout the week at the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal and at the National Industrial Court Complex.
The special sitting has listed 360 appeal cases for hearing, with the goal of decongesting the court docket and ensuring faster resolution of matters that have been pending for long periods. The President of the Court of Appeal emphasised that the exercise reflects a deliberate and sustained commitment to improving the efficiency and timeliness of justice delivery in Nigeria’s appellate courts.
Justice Dongban-Mensem also thanked the Lagos division for providing facilities and accommodation for the visiting Justices, noting that such cooperation was essential to the success of the special sitting. Lawyers attending the session were urged to ensure their cases were fully prepared and free of procedural defects that could delay proceedings.
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