The President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, has called for the elevation of the National Judicial Institute (NJI) to a Judicial University. This move aims to leverage retired jurists to groom future judicial workforce and reduce the high cost of external training.
The initiative was made at a farewell lunch for the retiring Justice of Abuja Division of the court, Justice Hamma Barka. The Appeal Court President praised Justice Barka's remarkable legacy and expressed her delight in the occasion.
The farewell ceremony was attended by 21 panels of justices from various divisions of the court, including Justice Dongban-Mensem herself. These panels heard a total of 330 appeals covering civil, criminal and commercial matters.
The successful organisation of the Special Sitting was made possible through the collaboration and support of partners and stakeholders.
The elevation of the National Judicial Institute to a Judicial University is a welcome development, but it raises questions about the capacity of the judiciary to manage such an institution. The Chief Justice of Nigeria must ensure that this initiative is well-planned and executed to avoid duplication of efforts and waste of resources. The fact that retired jurists will be involved in grooming future judicial workforce is a positive step, but it also highlights the need for the judiciary to develop a robust succession plan. The impact of this initiative on the cost of external training and the overall efficiency of the judiciary remains to be seen.
