A great novelty

Having matters at the appellate court last sometimes up to 10 years, amount to denial of justice, given the aphorism that ‘justice delayed, is justice denied’.   

In her address to the opening session, the President of the Court of Appeal (PCA), Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, noted the court’s enduring contribution to Nigeria’s jurisprudence, and avowed its commitment to faithfully discharge its constitutional mandate, in justice delivery. The PCA said the special session reflects the court’s commitment to enhancing justice delivery by addressing the volume of appeals pending within the division.

She acknowledged the collaboration of the Rivers State High Court, which allowed some of the sessions to be held in its premises.

She also assured that the panels were carefully constituted to ensure effective case management and meaningful deliberations in accordance with the tradition of the court.

To achieve the feat, the courts had morning and afternoon sessions. The PCA noted that extraordinary efforts were required to handle hundreds of cases in one week. She urged lawyers and parties to take full advantage of such special sessions by preparing for their cases, and avoid issues that could cause unnecessary delays in the dispensation of the cases. 

We commend the PCA and other Justices of the Court of Appeal for their resolve to reduce the number of cases pending in their courts. They should redouble their efforts across other jurisdictions for litigants to gain the benefits of having a full complement of justices of the court in place, for the first time in recent history.

The present situation where many litigants die before their cases are dispensed with, from the high court through the appellate courts, casts a slur on our judicial system.

With President Bola Ahmed Tinubu requesting the National Assembly, to increase the number of Justices of the Court of Appeal from 70 to 110, there is every hope that the long delays associated with appeal cases in Nigeria may soon end. Also, the Supreme Court, for the first time, has a full complement of 21 justices, with the swearing in of 11 justices in February, 2024.

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No doubt, every business, in considering the ease of doing business, takes into consideration, the efficiency of the court systems, which forms part of the rule of law.

Where matters prolong unnecessarily, international businesses naturally shy away, and move to jurisdictions with efficient dispensation of justice.

We commend the Tinubu administration which appears determined to improve the welfare of justices, so that they can concentrate on their onerous task of dispensing justice without fear or favour. A judge should have a comfortable accommodation and sustainable remuneration, as of right.

No doubt, strengthening our courts is a necessary complement to direct foreign investment and we commend the Court of Appeal for its outing in Port-Harcourt, and call for similar efforts across other jurisdictions.