Senate Confirms Dongban-Mensem As President, Court of Appeal

BY GRACE ANYANWU, ABUJA – The Senate on Thursday confirmed the nomination of Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem for the position of substantive President of the Court of Appeal.

Justice Dongban-Mensem confirmation followed the adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Legal Matters chaired by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, which recommended that her nomination and appointment satisfies the requirements of the constitution.

According to Bamidele; “Having screened the nominee and satisfied with her competence, the committee do recommend the confirmation of Monica Dongban-Mensem as the president of the Court of Appeal.”

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan on Wednesday assured that the confirmation of the Justice Dongban-Mensem would be expedited to avoid “a constitutional crisis”.

Senate Lawan had on Tuesday read a letter from President Muhammadu Buhari asking the Senate to confirm her as the substantive President of the Court of Appeal.

Dongban-Mensem was appointed as Acting President of the Court of Appeal in March following the retirement of of the former President of the Court of Appeal Zainab Bulkachuwa.

The National Judicial Council (NJC) at its last sitting recommended the appointment of Justice Dongban-Mensem as the substantive President of the Court of Appeal.

However, President Buhari did not send her name to the Senate for screening and confirmation but instead extended her tenure as Acting President of the Court of Appeal for another three months.

The development attracted criticisms from different quarters including an open letter by former military governor of Kaduna State, Colonel Abubakar Umar Dangiwa.