Lack Of Resources: Our Staff Are Suffering, Appeal Court President Tells Senate

• President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, highlights resource shortages affecting courts in Nigeria
• Despite challenges, she remains optimistic about the judiciary’s recovery and expresses gratitude to the Senate Committee and President Tinubu

Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, President of the Court of Appeal, highlighted the dire situation facing some courts in Nigeria due to resource shortages.

Justice Dongban-Mensem addressed the issue during a public hearing on the ‘Bill for an Act to Prescribe Salaries, Allowances, and Fringe Benefits of Judicial Officers in Nigeria and Related Matters 2024 (SB.414)’, held at the National Assembly in Abuja.

She underscored Nigeria’s abundance of human and material resources but expressed concern over the state of the judiciary in the past 17 years. Despite challenges, she remained optimistic about the judiciary’s recovery.

“We are considering closing some courts due to resource shortages. Our staff are enduring hardship,” she lamented, acknowledging the Senate committee’s understanding of their predicament. “As they say, justice delayed is justice denied.”

Justice Dongban-Mensem thanked the Senate Committee on Judiciary and President Bola Tinubu for their efforts, describing them as positive steps towards addressing the challenges.