The Minister of the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr Nyesom Wike, has tasked Justices of the appellate court to brace up for the work ahead as they deal with the numerous election appeals before the Court.
The minister, who was speaking at a ceremony to mark the commencement of the 2023/2024 legal year of the Court of Appeal, pointed that a lot of hard work is required while hearing and determining these appeals, as the public has tremendous faith in the decisions of the Court.
In his words, “My Lord Justices, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, there is no doubt that the previous legal year have been tasking and demanding due to the numerous pre-election matters which gave birth to appeals from interlocutory decisions and final decisions of the Federal High Courts. This year might not be different in view of the numerous pending Election Appeals.
“I commend the President of the Court of Appeal for the nine Justices that were recently sworn in by My Lord, the Chief Justice of Nigeria. This will undoubtedly go a long way in reducing the workload on the justices of the Court and enhancing justice delivery in the country.
“My Lords, another legal year has come and this year is particularly unique because of the election appeals, which I earlier alluded to.”
Wike, who was addressing the Justices for the first time in his capacity as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, stressed that the opening of a Legal Year is much more than an ancient tradition, rather a practice in pursuit of justice and the upholding of the rule of law.
According to him, “this is so because it affords this Honourable Court the opportunity to reflect on its successes and challenges in the previous year with a view to celebrating those successes and working towards providing solutions to the challenges and also projecting into the New Year.
“Today’s event is therefore not just a ceremonial milestone; it is a testament to the enduring commitment of our legal fraternity to the pursuit of justice and the upholding of the rule of law.”
The minister while recognising that a strong and independent judiciary is pivotal to the preservation of justice, implored the judiciary to stand by the FCT Administration in its quest to implementing certain reforms that will not only restore the glory of the FCT, but also make it a source of pride for every Nigerian.
Meanwhile, the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Mensen, has cried out over the outrageous number of appeals pending at the appellate court.
Justice Mensen disclosed that a total number of 39,526 cases are pending as at 31st of August, 2023.
“The Court still has a total of 39,526 Appeals pending as at 31th of August, 2023.
“This is an increase from 34,037 pending in the Court in the 2021/2022 Legal Year” Justice Mensen stated.
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