Justice Dongban-Mensem Takes Oath As Acting President Court Of Appeal

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad has administered the oath of office on Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem as the Acting President of the Court Appeal.

Justice Dongban-Mensem takes over from Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa who retired as the substantive President of the Court of Appeal after attaining the mandatory retirement age of 70 years.

The appointment of Justice Dongban-Mensem as the Acting President of the Court of Appeal was approved by President Muhammadu Buhari following a recommendation by the National Judicial Council (NJC).

While performing the swearing-in ceremony, the CJN who described Justice Dongban-Mensem as “a seasoned judicial officer in the system” urged her to carry her colleagues along through consultations and regular visits to the various divisions of the Court.

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Some Justices of the Supreme Court who witnessed the event are Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour; Justice Olukayode Ariwoola; Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun; Justice Ejembi Eko; Justice Amina Augie; Justice Sylvester Ngwuta; Justice Uwani Abba-Aji and Justice Paul Galunje.

Other dignitaries at the event include Governors Simeon Lalong of Plateau State, Governor Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ahmed Idris Wase.

A graduate of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, she is an authority in Criminal and Civil Procedure Law, Taxation and International Public Finance, Public International Law, Legislative Drafting, Constitutional and Administrative Law and International Commercial Transactions.

After receiving her LL.B and LL.M from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria-Nigeria and a Post Graduate Diploma from the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, University of London, Russel Square – London, Justice Mensem was Registrar of Plateau State High Court in 1979 and Magistrate of various grades up to Chief Magistrate between 1981 and 1990. She was visiting Lecturer on Press Law at the Catholic Media Centre, Kaduna from 1988-1992 and Part-time Lecturer at the University of Jos between 1989 and 1997.

From 1990-1993 Justice Dongban-Mensem served as Deputy Chief Registrar, Superior Courts and Protocol Affairs and was appointed Judge, High Court of Justice, Plateau Judiciary from 1993-1996. On transfer from the former, Dongban-Mensem became the Judge, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Judiciary from 1997-2003.