President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, has called on Nigerians to back up persistent corruption allegations against judicial officers with concrete evidence, emphasizing that unsubstantiated claims alone cannot reform the system.
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In a pointed address during the ceremonial opening of the Court of Appeal’s 2025/2026 Legal Year on Monday, Justice Dongban-Mensem expressed frustration over the barrage of unproven accusations leveled against judges. “We keep hearing of corruption, allegations against judges. Please provide the evidence. That’s what we need evidence,” she stated. “Since no one has come up with any evidence to show that they are corrupt or that we are corrupt, I believe that we are doing our best.”
The event, presided over by Justice Dongban-Mensem, marked a ceremonial session following the substantive legal year opening in September. Her remarks highlighted broader challenges facing the judiciary, including a heavy reliance on executive support for funding and administration, despite the constitutional separation of powers.
Justice Dongban-Mensem also voiced deep concern over the escalating backlog of cases, with electoral disputes continuing to dominate the court’s docket and drain its resources. “Endless electoral processes wear the courts down. When I talk of 36 panels, it means 3 times 36. That’s how much electoral matters consume our time and energy,” she lamented. “We appeal to politicians and political actors. Democracy cannot flourish if every electoral contest is dragged to the courtroom. The spirit of sportsmanship must prevail.”
She urged lawyers to promote alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms to encourage amicable settlements and alleviate congestion. “Although the general elections are behind us, electoral litigation remained a dominant feature of our docket. Post-election disputes from governorship and legislative contests continued to reach the court for off-season elections. Endless litigation drains our scarce resources. We are currently in serious debt,” she added.
During the 2024/2025 legal year, the Court of Appeal, operating across 20 divisions, received 5,225 appeals and 9,906 motions. Of these, 3,193 appeals and 5,623 motions were determined, with 2,503 appeals dismissed and 690 allowed. As of October 31, 2025, the court faces a pending caseload of 31,618 appeals and 3,382 motions a notable improvement from the previous year’s 41,952 pending appeals and only 2,299 determinations.
Justice Dongban-Mensem credited this progress to the “sacrifices and professionalism” of her fellow justices, who she said remain committed to openness, respect for litigants, and the protection of rights. The court’s Mediation Centre further aided decongestion, handling 121 matters in the Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Jos divisions. Of these, 34 were successfully resolved, 26 returned for formal adjudication, and 61 remain pending.
The ceremony drew prominent dignitaries, including Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), who reiterated the federal government’s commitment to combating terrorism through swift justice. “The federal government remains deeply committed to combating terrorism through a combination of kinetic and non-kinetic strategies. It recognizes that the swift administration of justice is a vital complement to military and intelligence operations,” Fagbemi said. He noted recent initiatives over the past two months to enhance judicial environments, including projects now in the public domain.
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