Senate confirms Dongban-Mensem as PCA

…NASS will support Judicial reforms, says Lawan

The Senate on Thursday confirmed Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem as the President of the Court of Appeal.

This is even as the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has promised that the National Assembly would provide necessary legislative support needed to carry out Judicial reforms.

The confirmation of the Justice Dongban-Mensem, followed the presentation and consideration of the screening report of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters.

Senator Micheal Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central) is the chairman of the Committee.

President Muhammadu Buhari had in a letter urged the Senate to approve the nomination of Justice Dongban-Mensem as the PCA.

Bamidele in his report noted that the Justice Dongban-Mensem “has the experience, comportment, exposure and posses the requisite leadership qualities of a Judicial Officer to effectively run the Court of Appeal.”

Lawan in his remarks congratulated the PCA-designate while emphasising the urgent need for reforms in the Judiciary.

He said: “Let me join all our colleagues who contributed or commented on the report of the Committee, and of course, the extolling of the virtues of the nominee.

“The Judiciary needs a lot of reforms. The National Assembly, and Senate in particular, is available at all times to provide the legislative support and interventions that will be necessary for the reforms.

“The Justice system in this country must protect the weakest, particularly amongst us. That is the essence without prejudice to those who are very powerful.”