Nigeria’s Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has praised the Court of Appeal for launching special sittings across its divisions to reduce case backlogs—an initiative he said demonstrates the judiciary’s commitment to confronting public frustration over delays in justice delivery.
Speaking at the opening of the Court of Appeal’s 2025/2026 Legal Year in Abuja, Fagbemi acknowledged recent criticism of the judiciary, describing it as a reminder of the institution’s central role in Nigeria’s democracy.
“In recent months, the judiciary has come under scrutiny and criticism, often marked by misrepresentations of judicial decisions,” he said. “These criticisms, whether fair or misplaced, highlight the delicate balance between judicial authority, public trust, and perception.”
Fagbemi also warned that Nigeria’s worsening insecurity—ranging from terrorism and banditry to kidnappings and violent crime—poses a profound threat to the rule of law. “The judiciary, as the guardian of justice, must lend its weight to national efforts to combat insecurity,” he said.
Wike: Tinubu Will Keep Investing in the Judiciary
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who also spoke at the event, said President Bola Tinubu remains committed to strengthening the judiciary through investments that boost productivity and reduce delays. He announced new budgetary provisions for residential housing for FCT High Court judges to address longstanding accommodation challenges.
Court of Appeal: Electoral Litigation Is Draining Resources
Earlier, President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, lamented the overwhelming caseload confronting the court—particularly election disputes.
“Electoral matters consumed our time and energy,” she said, noting that although general elections have passed, post-election litigation from off-season governorship and legislative contests continues to flood the court.
She urged lawyers and litigants to embrace alternative dispute resolution (ADR) to ease pressure on the system. “Endless litigation drains our scarce resources. We are currently in serious debt,” she warned. “Democracy cannot flourish if every electoral contest is dragged into the courtroom.”
Over 31,000 Appeals Still Pending
Dongban-Mensem disclosed that during the 2024/2025 Legal Year, the court received 5,225 appeals and 9,906 motions, while concluding 3,193 appeals and 5,623 motions.
Of the appeals decided, 2,503 were dismissed, while 690 were allowed.
As of October 31, the Court of Appeal still had 31,618 pending appeals and 3,382 pending motions—a reduction from the previous year’s 41,952 pending appeals, which she described as “a clear improvement.”
She credited the progress to the sacrifices and professionalism of the justices. “This commitment to justice is reflected not only in their decisions, but also in the respectful and open atmosphere we cultivate,” she said.
ADR Centre: 121 Cases Managed, 34 Resolved
The PCA reported that the Court’s ADR Centre handled 121 mediation matters across Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Jos.
Of these, 34 cases were successfully resolved, 26 returned to the court for adjudication, and **61 remained pending.
She said ADR continues to play a vital role in reducing docket congestion and improving access to timely justice nationwide.
