The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has lauded the Court of Appeal for its innovative use of special sittings to reduce case congestion. Speaking at the ceremony to mark the start of the Court’s 2025/2026 Legal Year, Fagbemi described the initiative as a timely response to public concerns about the slow pace of justice.
He noted that the judiciary has faced intense public scrutiny and criticism in recent months, sometimes due to misrepresentation of judicial decisions. “These criticisms, whether fair or misplaced, remind us of the delicate balance between judicial authority, public trust and perception,” he said, adding that such debates underscore the judiciary’s central role in Nigeria’s democracy.
Fagbemi also drew attention to the broader context of insecurity, pointing to insurgency, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and violent crimes as threats to both citizen safety and democratic stability. He emphasised that the judiciary, as custodian of the rule of law, must support national efforts to tackle these challenges.
Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, President of the Court of Appeal, highlighted the persistent backlog of cases, particularly those arising from electoral disputes. She urged parties to consider amicable settlements through alternative dispute resolution (ADR) to ease the pressure on the courts. “Although the general elections are behind us, electoral litigation remained a dominant feature of our docket,” she said.
Providing statistics for the 2024/2025 Legal Year, Dongban-Mensem said the Court received 5,225 Appeals and 9,906 Motions, of which 3,193 Appeals and 5,623 Motions were determined. Despite this progress, 31,618 Appeals and 3,382 Motions remain pending. She noted that these figures represent a significant improvement over the previous year, when only 2,299 Appeals were determined and pending cases numbered 41,952.
The President attributed the progress to the dedication and professionalism of the Justices, highlighting that ADR has been a key tool in easing congestion. During the year, 121 mediation matters were handled across Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Jos, with 34 successfully resolved and 26 returned to the Court due to lack of consensus. Sixty-one matters remain under mediation.
Dongban-Mensem stressed that the Court’s commitment to justice extends beyond rulings, encompassing a culture of openness and respect that ensures litigants’ voices are heard. “Through continued use of ADR and the dedication of our Justices, we are strengthening access to timely justice while maintaining the integrity of the judicial system,” she said.
