President Muhammadu Buhari has sent the name of Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem to the Senate for confirmation as the substantive President of the Court of Appeal.
Justice Dongban-Mensem had been the acting President of the Appeal court since on March 5, 2020, when her predecessor, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, clocked the mandatory retirement age of 70.
Buhari finally nominated Justice Dongban-Mensem to the Senate for confirmation as Appeal Court President in a brief statement by Mr Buhari’s spokesperson, Garba Shehu, Monday afternoon.
“President Muhammadu Buhari, in-line with his constitutional responsibility has sent the nomination of Her Lordship, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, Acting President, Court of Appeal to the Senate for confirmation as President, Court of Appeal.
“Justice Dongban-Mensem is a serving Justice of the Court of Appeal and was recommended, as is the practice, by the National Judicial Council for the nomination by the President,” Mr Shehu wrote.
KanyiDaily recalls that Buhari’s refusal to confirm Justice Dongban-Mensem for the position of appeal court president had been criticised by many Nigerians including a widely respected retired colonel, Abubakar Umar.
Mr Umar accused President Buhari of putting Nigeria in danger by his “undue preference to some sections of the country over others” in national appointments.