The Court of Appeal special sitting convened in Lagos on Monday with 48 justices drawn from divisions across the country, as the President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, formally declared open a one-week special session aimed at decongesting the appellate docket of the Lagos Division.
Delivering her opening address at the Lagos Division on January 19, 2026, Justice Dongban-Mensem described the Appeal Court Special Sitting as a strategic intervention to enhance efficiency in justice delivery, particularly in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre and one of the busiest appellate jurisdictions in the country.
Golden jubilee and judicial efficiency
Justice Dongban-Mensem said the Court of Appeal Special Sitting was taking place during the Court’s Golden Jubilee year, noting that Lagos holds historical significance as the birthplace of the appeal court.
“This Special Sitting held in the first month of celebrating our historic 50 years of existence ushers in a series of lined-up commemorative activities,” she said.
According to her, the exercise reflects the Court’s “deliberate and sustained commitment to enhancing efficiency in the administration of justice by addressing the growing volume of appeals across its Divisions.”
She explained that Lagos naturally bears a heavy burden of appellate litigation, making it necessary to adopt proactive measures to ensure timely and effective justice delivery through the Court of Appeal Special Sitting.
48 Justices, 16 Panels, 360 Appeals
The President of the Appeal Court disclosed that for the Court of Appeal Special Sitting, 16 panels comprising 48 Honourable Justices were constituted to sit throughout the week.
“For this exercise, the Court has constituted Sixteen (16) panels comprising Forty (48) Honourable Justices, drawn from various Divisions of the Court, including my humble self,” she stated.
She added that the panels would sit in scheduled sessions at both the Lagos Division and the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, NICN, Court Complex, ensuring optimal utilisation of judicial facilities.
Justice Dongban-Mensem further revealed that 360 appeals, all ripe for hearing, had been listed before the panels during the Court of Appeal Special Sitting, urging counsel and litigants to be fully prepared.
“Learned counsel and parties are therefore urged to take full advantage of this opportunity by ensuring readiness, punctuality, and strict adherence to the applicable rules of procedure,” she said.
Appreciation to stakeholders and counsel
The Court of Appeal President expressed gratitude to the Lagos State Attorney-General for collaborating with the Court to make the Court of Appeal Special Sitting possible, as well as to the President of the National Industrial Court for providing courtrooms and accommodation.
She also commended her brother justices for their “sacrifice, cooperation, and commitment to duty,” and praised the Chief Registrar, registry staff, and officials drawn from neighbouring divisions for ensuring a seamless exercise.
Addressing members of the media, Justice Dongban-Mensem urged accurate reporting of court proceedings, saying, “We appreciate your good work in telling the world about the Judiciary, but it is important that correct information goes out.”
As the court marks its Golden Jubilee, she called on all stakeholders to uphold professionalism and integrity, stressing that justice must not only be done but must be manifestly seen to be done.
The Court of Appeal Special Sitting, she noted, will last one week, urging all participants to make the best use of the rare opportunity during the jubilee year.
Responding on behalf of the Lagos Bar, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ebun Adegoruwa commended the Court of Appeal for the special sitting and its Golden Jubilee initiatives, assuring the justices of the Bar’s readiness to facilitate speedy hearings.
“It is in our own interest and indeed in the interest of our clients to ensure that all pending cases are expeditiously heard,” he said.
Earlier in her speech, the President of the Court of Appeal expressed appreciation to the Office of the Attorney General of Lagos, for collaborating with the presiding justices of the court for ensuring the sitting.
Bar call for improved infrastructure
Responding on behalf of the Lagos Bar, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ebun Adegboruwa commended the appeal court for the special sitting and its Golden Jubilee initiatives, assuring the justices of the Bar’s readiness to facilitate speedy hearings.
“It is in our own interest and indeed in the interest of our clients to ensure that all pending cases are expeditiously heard,” he said.
The Bar also appealed for improved infrastructure and better funding for the judiciary, pledging continued collaboration to strengthen the justice sector.
In tying the exercise to the court’s Golden Jubilee year, the Court of Appeal President urged judges, lawyers, litigants and the media to uphold professionalism, integrity and accuracy, noting that public confidence in the judiciary depends on collective responsibility.
He stressed that the success of the special sitting would not only reduce delays but also reinforce faith in the rule of law as the Court of Appeal marks 50 years of service to Nigeria’s justice system.
In conclusion, the sitting will provide other justices of the court with the unique opportunity to have a taste of the variety of the matters, the appeals being managed by Lagos.
