Why we need ‘Judicial University’ – Court of Appeal President Dongban-Mensem

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By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

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ABUJA– The President of the Court of Appeal (PCA), Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, on Thursday, made a case for the elevation of the National Judicial Institute (NJI) to the status of a Judicial University.

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The NJI is the specialised training and research arm of the judiciary, established by the National Judicial Institute Act, Cap N55, LFN 2004.

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Its major mandate is to promote efficiency, uniformity, and improved quality in the delivery of judicial services across superior and inferior courts in the country.

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The NJI conducts structured courses for all categories of judicial officers (judges, magistrates, Sharia and Customary Court judges) as well as their supporting staff to improve legal knowledge and work‑performance.

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In a speech she delivered at an event the appellate court held to honour the Presiding Justice of its Division in Abuja, Justice Hamma Barka who is due for retirement, the PCA argued that establishing the University would help the country to continue to tap from the wealth of knowledge of some jurists that bowed out of active judicial service owing to the age factor.

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She said: “In this regard, I wish to respectfully reiterate my earnest appeal to the Honourable the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honourable Justice K. M. O. Kekere-Ekun, GCON, on the imperative of elevating the National Judicial Institute to the status of a Judicial University.

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“Such a transformation will provide a veritable platform for retiring jurists, like our distinguished brother whom we honour today, to continue to contribute their vast knowledge, experience, and wisdom to the growth and development of the judiciary.”

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While extolling the virtues of Justice Barka whom she described as a dedicated judicial officer that served with courage and integrity, the Appeal Court President said the court recently constituted 21 panels to conduct special sittings to reduce the backlog of cases.

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She revealed that the panels which she was also involved in, comprised of 63 justices that were drawn from various Divisions of the Court.

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“A total of Three Hundred & Thirty (330) appeals, covering civil, criminal and commercial matters were listed and heard before these panels.

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“The panels sat throughout the duration of the exercise in scheduled sessions. While some panels sat within the Court of Appeal Headquarters and Abuja Division, others sat at designated courtrooms graciously made available within the Federal Capital Territory.

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“I wish to sincerely appreciate our partners and stakeholders whose collaboration and support contributed immensely to the successful organization of this special sitting,” Justice Dongban-Mensem added.

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Noting that the appellate court still lacked basic infrastructure, including conducive spaces to conduct proceedings, the PCA extended her appreciation to the National Industrial Court, the Federal Capital Territory High Court and the Sharia Court of Appeal of the FCT, “for their generous support in providing courtrooms to facilitate this Special Sitting.”

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Emphasising that institutional cooperation remained invaluable to the effective administration of justice, Justice Dongban-Mensem said it was her expectation that the impending Golden Jubilee of the appellate court would “inspire renewed commitment to fairness, integrity and professionalism in the administration of justice.”

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Meanwhile, in his remarks, Justice Barka who will officially bow out on April 17 when he would have attained the mandatory retirement age, thanked his brother justices for their support, adding that he would be available to offer his legal expertise whenever he is called upon to do so.

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Justice Barka career at the appellate court included his service in the Benin, Ilorin, Akure, Calabar and Abuja Divisions.

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Among those at the event included Justices of the appellate court, senior lawyers and staff members of the court.

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