The Court of Appeal has commenced a special judicial session in Lagos as part of efforts to speed up the resolution of pending cases and improve the overall efficiency of the appellate system.
Presiding over the exercise, the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, announced that 360 appeals have been assigned to 16 panels of Justices constituted for the week-long sitting. The initiative also forms part of activities marking the court’s 50th anniversary.
Dongban-Mensem said the special sitting reflects the judiciary’s determination to tackle the growing backlog of appeals across its divisions nationwide. She explained that the large volume of cases, particularly from Lagos as a commercial hub, makes periodic interventions necessary to enhance case management.
She disclosed that 40 Justices drawn from different divisions of the Court of Appeal were deployed for the exercise, with panels scheduled to sit at the Lagos Division and the National Industrial Court throughout the week.
According to her, the initiative demonstrates a deliberate effort to strengthen efficiency and ensure faster access to appellate justice. She noted that the deployment of Justices from other divisions was a significant logistical undertaking aimed at achieving meaningful progress in clearing pending matters.
Justice Dongban-Mensem expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Government and relevant stakeholders for their cooperation in facilitating the session, adding that such support was crucial to the success of the exercise.
She urged lawyers to ensure they are adequately prepared for hearings to avoid unnecessary adjournments, emphasizing that the effectiveness of the process depends on the readiness of counsel and parties involved.
The Court of Appeal President also called on the media to report judicial proceedings accurately, stressing that public confidence in the justice system must be safeguarded through responsible communication and transparency.
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