The President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, has urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, to elevate the National Judicial Institute (NJI) to university status. This move, she believes, would enable the NJI to tap into the expertise of retired judges and enhance judicial capacity nationwide.
The call was made during a special sitting marking the Golden Jubilee of the Court of Appeal in Abuja. The event celebrated the outgoing Presiding Justice of the Abuja Division, Justice Hamma Akawu Barka, who will retire on April 17, 2026, after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70.
Justice Dongban-Mensem praised Justice Barka for his dedication to the judiciary and the nation. She noted that he had served in various divisions, including Benin, Ilorin, Akure, Calabar, and Abuja, leaving a lasting impact wherever he served.
The 50th anniversary celebrations also saw the constitution of 21 panels comprising 63 Honourable Justices, which handled 330 appeals in civil, criminal, and commercial matters across the Court of Appeal Headquarters and designated courtrooms in the Federal Capital Territory.
Justice Dongban-Mensem reiterated her call to the CJN, highlighting the benefits of elevating the NJI. She emphasized that such a transformation would provide a platform for retiring jurists to continue contributing their knowledge and wisdom to the growth and development of the judiciary.
The call to elevate the National Judicial Institute to university status is a timely one, given the need to harness the expertise of retired judges. The move would not only strengthen judicial capacity nationwide but also provide a platform for experienced jurists to continue contributing to the growth and development of the judiciary. The elevation of the NJI would be a significant step towards ensuring that the expertise of retiring judges is not lost. It is now up to the Chief Justice of Nigeria to take concrete steps towards making this vision a reality. The implications of this move would be far-reaching, and NaijaBuzz expects a clear plan of action from the CJN in the coming weeks.
