The President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, CFR has led her Brother Justices in a special Court siting in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State.
The special sitting hosted by the Calabar Division of the Court of Appeal, was set up by the President of the Court and scheduled to hold from the 3rd to the 7th of March, 2025, to help clear up the backlog of cases in the Calabar Division of Court which also oversees cases from Uyo.
To ensure the effective and prompt hearing of cases, Justices were also drawn from various Divisions of the Court to sit and hear cases brought before it.
In a special welcome address to her learned Brother Justices, Hon. Justice Dongban-Mensem expressed gratitude to God Almighty for bringing them safely to Akwa Ibom State despite all odds.
Noting that they are all in the State eager to do their jobs, the work that they do to the best of their abilities and to the glory of God Almighty. This she said is because they are not doing it unto human beings “whatever you do man will never appreciate, but God knows what we are doing and for me I know what we are doing, I know what we endure and I assure you that God Almighty will bless us in different ways”
His Lordship equally brought to them the maternal greetings of the Hon. The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat O. Kekere-Ekun, GCON, who extended her good will to all the Justices of the Court. Stating that she appreciates their commitment and the sacrifices that they make and prayed that everything will go on well with them in Uyo.
His Lordship also stated in her address that the chief host has put in place good things that will keep them comfortable to the best of her ability. Adding that the Court of Appeal doesn’t have a Court in Uyo and she has observed that there are so many cases there.
She thus appealed to the Justices to make do with the space that has been made available to them to work. She also appealed to them not to allow the special sitting go to waste: “please do not allow this special sitting be wasted, as much as possible hear all the appeals that has been listed so that our next coming will be to deliver judgement”
His Lordship equally pleaded with them to bear with the lawyers as they are all working under difficult situations particularly in Uyo since the Court doesn’t really have its own facilities there.
Wishing them good and peaceful deliberations and quick dispatch of their work, the President of the Court of Appeal noted that the special sitting has been organized in such a way that the justices can have their conference either in Uyo or when they go back to their respective Divisions.
Encouraging them not to rush so that things are done right, She expressed confidence that they are all knowledgeable and have been discharging their duties compassionately and effectively. Praying that “the Lord God Almighty will continue to strengthen us and to bless and protect us in all that we do.”
The President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem recognized the Attorney General of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Uko Udom, SAN and the Chief Judge of the State, Hon. Justice Ekaete F. Obot, appreciating them for their support while hoping that this outing will take off some burden from their dockets and those of other lawyers in the State.
At the opening of the special sitting, speaking on behalf of Bar, Rev. Fr. Edwin Obiorah while welcoming the President and Justices of the Court of Appeal, said that they are honored that the President herself had to come in person.
He said he was so happy and on behalf of the inner and outer Bar from the Uyo area, welcomed the President of the Court of Appeal who took her time and sees the jurisdiction as special to appear in person. “We thank you and the noble members of the Court of Appeal who are present, we thank you very much and we appreciate your presence” he said.
The President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem who was sitting in a panel alongside Hon. Justice Peter O. Affen and Hon. Justice Abiodun A. Akinyemi welcomed her Brother Justices, lawyers and the general public to the special session.
Stating that they are not new to such special sittings, but that this one stands out as it is the second one holding within the Calabar Division of the court within a month. Which shows the great importance attached to the Calabar Division since her taking note of the docket of the Division.
Noting further that the first time they sat, was from the 10th to the 14th February 2025 in Calabar.
His Lordship said it is no secret that despite the enduring hard work of the Justices of the Court of Appeal, they are still putting up with backlogs of cases. Stating that the convening of special sessions such as this, is an innovative transformation process that will hopefully lead to the decongestion of the Court’s dockets primarily, and in general, speedier and more efficient justice delivery.
The President of the Court of Appeal also noted that other interventions are equally being made to deal with the age-old problem of never-ending case backlogs effectively. These measures she said, include the recruitment of more judicial officers and support staff, the proposed establishment of more court divisions, the building and refurbishment of more courts, and the adoption of technology to enhance the hearing of cases and the case management process, to mention a few.
She equally brought to the attention of Counsel and litigants that the Court has Mediation Centers that has been very well received in the Port Harcourt Division, Lagos Division and the Abuja Division of the Court. Urging them to take advantage of it as mediation is a quick and fast way of resolving issues and leaving litigants still friends and good business partners including the lawyers as well.
Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem said that in Calabar, there were a total of four panels that sat from Monday, the 10th to Friday, the 14th day of February, 2025. Adding that a total of Two Hundred and Twenty-four (224) Appeals were listed during the period and upon conclusion, Thirty-five (35) judgments were reserved, Seventy (70) Appeals were dismissed, Seventy-one (71) others were struck out/granted, while Forty-eight (48) Motions were adjourned.
The real impact of these, she said, might not be felt with simple reference to figures but when viewed within the context that parties who have waited so long to have their day in court now know their fate, or will soon know their fate, enables them to conclude that justice has been served and the years of waiting for the litigants in these 245 appeals have now or will soon come to an end.
Noting that indeed some can continue with their lives while others may continue to pursue legitimate means of further appeal to the apex court.
“In either case while our determination and insistence that these matters be heard may potentially be regarded as somewhat extreme, our resolve to power through these cases serves as helpful reminder to practitioners and litigants alike that we have resolved to do what is within our means and the scope of the Court’s power in respect of cases before us to uphold the principle that there must be finality to litigation.”
The President of the Court of Appeal said that as a follow-up to the success in Calabar, the Court has now converged in Uyo, and this time, with 49 Justices sitting in 16 different panels.
Appreciating her colleagues she said; “I find it expedient to offer some words of appreciation, and to sincerely express my gratitude for the exceptional efforts my colleagues put in during the special Calabar session. As valued justices of the Court of Appeal family, i appreciate their dedication and acknowledge their hard work and unparalleled commitment to attaining justice.
“I want to take a moment to highlight the Justices exceptional commitment to ensuring that justice is done at all times, which is truly remarkable. Once again, I thank my hardworking colleagues and the lawyers.
“I want to specially thank the Justices who have shown up for this exercise. I can never appreciate their commitment enough knowing the hardship that we endure in traveling and the difficulty working suddenly outside your normal habitat. It takes time to settle down but we come in and move straight into the Court. do our work and go back with loads of work.”
Noting that the Justices are never idle as they are working very hard, she said she continues to urge everyone to give their best while calling on the lawyers to also appreciate the Justices commitment so that when they stand up in Court, they won’t start asking for an adjournment of their cases and failing to argue their appeals.
His Lordship emphasized on the need for lawyers to always read the rules of court and have it with them in Court. Because coming to Court without the rules is like going to the farm without a hoe. Stating that if they take time to read the rules of the Court, they will discover that many things are put in there that will make their work a lot easier which they have to discover themselves.
His Lordship said: “As we look forward to the days ahead with fortitude and hope for the best, I call on the lawyers whose cases have been listed for hearing to come prepared with their best foot forward. In pursuing justice, lawyers remain vital gatekeepers, saddled with an abiding duty to assist the court in upholding the principles of fairness, equality, and the rule of law.
“Just like we judges, the role of lawyers in the administration of justice is instrumental and vital in ensuring that legal rights are protected, legal processes are adhered to, and justice is ultimately served. Counsel have a higher calling than merely representing clients. It is therefore incumbent on lawyers first and foremost to constitute the court to ensure the smooth administration of justice. I urge all lawyers whose appeals have been listed for hearing to keep these at the back of their minds so we can all get the best from this exercise.
“There will be no allowance for adjournments and no room for motions as this sitting will be strictly for serious business leading to disposal of appeals”.
His Lordship expressed her profound appreciation to the Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Calabar Division Hon. Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam and her great team for the tremendous work done first in Calabar and now in Akwa Ibom. Stating that her organizational prowess in both instances, in no small measure, has led to the successes achieved so far in Calabar and hopefully here in Uyo.
The President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, also extended the greetings and goodwill of the Hon. The Chief Justice of Nigeria My Lord Justice Kekere-Ekun, GCON, who gave the Justices of the Court of Appeal her blessing and prayed fervently that everything that they have come to do in Uyo will be successful. She equally extended her goodwill to all the lawyers and the good people of Akwa Ibom.
“With these words of appreciation, success, and hope, I should not forget to profoundly appreciate the Hon. The Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Hon. Justice Ekaete F. Obot who has virtually shut down the Akwa Ibom High Court and also committed her time and the support of her Judges to ensure that we settle down quickly to our work.
“I believe the lawyers also appreciate the gesture of the Hon. The Chief Judge because all the work we do, if we don’t take the appeals, their efforts may not translate to much since most of their decisions are subject to two tiers of appeals. So the earlier and the quicker we take these appeals and then you move to the Supreme Court, the better.
“And when you have this three tiers of adjudication, it opens up room for you, those of you who aspire to become learned silk like Dr. Obiorah and those of you who aspire to come to the bench, you have sufficient materials at hand to put forward for consideration for your elevation whichever way you want.”
Speaking on behalf of all the Justices of the Court of Appeal particularly her learned Brothers Hon. Justice Peter O. Affen and Hon. Justice Abiodun A. Akinyemi, she wished them all good luck and believed that they shall have a seamless sitting and come out with results that will be pleasing to some.
“I know whatever we do some people will not be happy but at least maybe our decisions will put an end to the ordeals of some and it will open up the way for others to move forward whichever way we are happy we did at least let’s put an end to something thank you very much”. She concluded.
Bring the day’s sitting to a close, Hon. Justice Peter O. Affen thanked everyone for the proceedings so far and appreciated God for being able to bring the day’s proceedings to a close.
For the matters that were adjourned, he hoped that they would be taken before the end of the special sitting. He equally thanked the registry staff for the job they have done and looked forward to more as the special sitting continues.
