Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, President of the Court of Appeal in Nigeria announced on Monday, May 20, 2024 that 99 panels were formed to adjudicate election petitions in 2023.
Speaking at the opening of a two-day workshop in Abuja, she emphasized the importance of reviewing the 2023 Election Petition Tribunals, Courts, and Appeals to improve the electoral process.
The workshop, organized in collaboration with the International Foundation for the Electoral System (IFES) and the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), aimed to assess the judicial process related to the 2023 elections. “A total of 99 panels were set up, with three judges in each, drawn from high courts,” Dongban-Mensem stated. “That was a significant number of judges taken out of our judicial system and dedicated to the electoral process.”
Justice Dongban-Mensem underscored the necessity of learning from past errors to enhance future electoral proceedings. “We are dedicated and committed to ensuring that our electoral process excels. We want to learn from our errors and discuss what we found wrong with our legislation during this election,” she said.
Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, lauded the judiciary for its stabilizing role in the electoral process. “The Court of Appeal, in particular, plays a pivotal role in shaping and strengthening electoral jurisprudence through the exercise of its constitutional mandate,” Fagbemi noted. He expressed confidence that the workshop would promote judicial excellence, electoral integrity, and democratic governance.
Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, highlighted the critical nature of political matters in adjudicatory activities. He mentioned that the workshop offers a chance to review and improve judicial practices. “This workshop is coming at the most auspicious time. It will undoubtedly offer us the rare opportunity to review those things that we may have done at our various levels that may not have been done with the best of intentions and professionalism,” Ariwoola said.
Clement Nwankwo, Executive Director of PLAC, stressed the importance of the judiciary in maintaining electoral integrity. “When the election umpire fails, the judiciary should stand to correct,” Nwankwo said. He urged judges to reflect on past decisions to ensure justice is perceived and delivered in future elections.
