Justice Dongban-Mensem Proposes NJI University Transformation

During a special court session in Abuja, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, President of the Court of Appeal, advocated for the National Judicial Institute (NJI) to be upgraded to a full-fledged university. She emphasized that this transformation is essential for improving Nigeria's judiciary training system, particularly as many jurists retire and take their wealth of experience with them.

Dongban-Mensem made this case while addressing Chief Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun and other senior jurists during a ceremony marking the Court of Appeal's golden jubilee. She highlighted the need for a structured platform to preserve and share the wisdom of veteran legal minds to benefit future generations.

Additionally, she acknowledged the recent establishment of 21 special panels that successfully heard 330 appeals, addressing the court's heavy workload. Justice Hamma Akawu Barka, who is set to retire on April 17, 2026, was praised for his 40-year career in various divisions of the court.