Dongban-Mensem assumes duty as court of appeal acting president
The acting President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban -Mensem on Friday assumed duty after she took the oath of office administered by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Muhammad.
Justice Dongban-Mensem takes over from Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, who retired as the substantive president of the appeal court after attaining the mandatory retirement age of 70 years.
Administering the oath at the Supreme Court, Justice Muhammad described Justice Dongban-Mensem as a seasoned judicial officer and urged her to carry her colleagues along through consultations and regular visits to the various divisions of the court.
Other justices of the Supreme Court at the event were Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour, Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Justice Paul Galunje, Justice Amina Augie, Justice Ejembi Eko and Justice Uwani Abba-Aji .
Dignitaries at the event include Governors Simeon Lanlong of Plateau state, Governor Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi state, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ahmed Wase.
Speaking further, the chief justice said that “as a seasoned judicial officer in the system right from day one after graduation, I don’t know what to tell you. You know your work very well and you have been doing your job satisfactory well.
“It is as a result of this hard work, general character and altitude that has enticed both the court of appeal, and the National Judicial Council to uplift you to be the acting president of the court of appeal.
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“I am pretty sure I know you very well, except you have changed which I have not noticed. I will therefore, urge you to continue with your charisma, altitude and ability to carry out the task and assignment given to you.
“The whole world has testified that you can do it; this testimony comes from the generality of the public, your colleagues and those of us whom you met. Please continue to bear that testimony.
“I urged you to carry your colleagues along and do a lot of consultations with them, have a lot of confidence and if need be, pay them a visit in their various divisions.”
Before her appointment, Justice Dongban-Mensem was the presiding justice of the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division. She is a life member of the body of benchers, a body that is responsible for the training and discipline of lawyers in Nigeria.
A graduate of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, she is an authority in criminal and civil procedure law, taxation and international public finance, international public law, legislative drafting, constitutional and administrative law and international commercial transactions.
