By Our Judicial Correspondent
LAGOS – In a high-stakes move to clear a mounting backlog of litigation, the Court of Appeal has launched a massive special session in Lagos, deploying 40 Justices to tackle 360 appeals in just one week.
The judicial “strike force,” presided over by the President of the Court of Appeal (PCA), Justice Monica Bolna’an Dongban-Mensem, marks the Golden Jubilee of the appellate court.
The exercise is a direct response to the staggering volume of cases in Lagos, which remains the nation’s commercial powerhouse and its busiest legal battleground.
The ‘Lagos Mountain’
Speaking at the special session on Monday, Justice Dongban-Mensem described the move as a “proactive” strike against docket congestion. With Lagos accounting for a massive share of the country’s legal disputes, the court has been forced to innovate to ensure justice isn’t delayed—and effectively denied.
To handle the load, the court has split into 16 specialized panels. While some will operate from the Lagos Division, others have been moved to the National Industrial Court Complex to ensure every available inch of space is used to hear cases.
Call to Action for Lawyers
The PCA didn’t mince words when addressing the legal teams involved. With 360 appeals “ripe for hearing,” she warned lawyers to ensure their paperwork is flawless to avoid wasting the court’s time.
”We expect counsel to thoroughly examine their processes before coming to court,” Justice Dongban-Mensem cautioned. “If there is anything that may delay the hearing, please take steps to remove that obstacle.”
A Jubilee with a Difference
The visiting Justices have been drawn from across the country, a move the PCA says allows them to gain experience with the complex commercial matters unique to the Lagos circuit.
In a moment of levity during her address, the Justice thanked the Lagos Division for providing accommodation and facilities, joking that she hoped the court would soon “come out of penury” to return the favor to other institutions in the future.
The week-long marathon serves as a cornerstone of the court’s 50th-anniversary celebrations, signaling a shift toward a more aggressive, efficient era of Nigerian justice.
