Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, President of the Court of Appeal, has urged Nigerians to support claims of judicial corruption with verifiable evidence, stressing that unproven allegations alone cannot bring meaningful reform to the judiciary.
Speaking at the ceremonial opening of the Court of Appeal’s 2025/2026 Legal Year on Monday, Justice Dongban-Mensem expressed frustration over the constant stream of unsubstantiated accusations against judges. “We keep hearing of corruption, allegations against judges. Please provide the evidence. That’s what we need—evidence,” she said. “Since no one has come up with proof that we are corrupt, I believe we are doing our best.”
The event, held following the substantive opening in September, also provided a platform for Justice Dongban-Mensem to highlight systemic challenges within the judiciary, including its heavy reliance on executive funding and administrative support despite the constitutional separation of powers.
She raised concern over the growing backlog of cases, noting that electoral disputes continue to dominate the court’s docket. “Endless electoral processes wear the courts down. When I talk of 36 panels, it means 3 times 36. That’s how much electoral matters consume our time and energy,” she lamented. She appealed to politicians to uphold the spirit of sportsmanship, warning that democracy suffers when every election is dragged into the courtroom.
The Court of Appeal President also encouraged lawyers to embrace alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods to reduce congestion. She revealed that even after general elections, post-election disputes over governorship and legislative seats continued to strain court resources. “Endless litigation drains our scarce resources. We are currently in serious debt,” she noted.
During the 2024/2025 legal year, the court, operating across 20 divisions, received 5,225 appeals and 9,906 motions. It determined 3,193 appeals and 5,623 motions, dismissing 2,503 appeals and allowing 690. As of October 31, 2025, 31,618 appeals and 3,382 motions remain pending, showing improvement from the previous year’s 41,952 pending appeals.
Justice Dongban-Mensem credited this progress to the professionalism and dedication of her colleagues, highlighting their commitment to transparency, litigants’ rights, and judicial integrity. The court’s Mediation Centre has also contributed to decongestion, handling 121 matters in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Jos, resolving 34, returning 26 for formal adjudication, and leaving 61 pending.
The ceremony was attended by prominent figures, including Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), who reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to combating terrorism through timely justice. “The swift administration of justice is a vital complement to military and intelligence operations,” he said, noting recent projects aimed at enhancing the judicial environment.