Appeal Court president calls for urgent action on backlog of cases

The President, Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, has expressed concerns over the backlog of cases in courts across the country.

According to her, the scourge has become a pressing issue that requires immediate attention.

She added that the timely delivery of justice in cases gives credibility to the legal system.

Dongban-Mensem spoke at the annual conference of the Nigerian Bar Association on Thursday in Abuja.

She said, “We cannot ignore the challenges that beset our justice system, ranging from case backlogs to inadequate funding and the paucity of infrastructure.

“The backlog of cases in our courts is a pressing concern that demands our immediate attention.

“Timely delivery of justice is essential not only for the litigants but also for the credibility of our legal system.”

She suggested that the Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms should be explored to address the backlog of cases.

Dongban-Mensem said, “To address this, we must explore innovative methods including Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms, to expedite the resolution of cases. In the Court of Appeal, we have an active ADR Centre in the Abuja division with branches at the Lagos and Port Harcourt divisions, respectively. Additionally, the use of technology can revolutionise case management and reduce delays.”

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