Judicial Institute Upgrade: A’Court President’s Call

Elevating Judicial Education: A Call for a National Judicial University

The President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, has put forth a compelling proposition to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun: the elevation of the National Judicial Institute (NJI) to the esteemed status of a judicial university. This transformative initiative, she articulated, would unlock a crucial avenue for retiring jurists to continue their invaluable contributions to the judiciary, specifically by mentoring and shaping the next generation of legal professionals and support staff.

The call to action came during a special sitting at the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal. This significant event was convened to honour the outgoing Presiding Judge of the Abuja Division, Justice Hamma Barka, who is set to retire on April 17, 2026, upon reaching the statutory retirement age of 70.

Justice Dongban-Mensem underscored the “imperative of elevating the National Judicial Institute into the status of a judicial university, where the likes of Hamma Barka will continue to serve the judiciary by grooming the workforce that we need.” This vision is rooted in a pragmatic assessment of the judiciary’s current training landscape.

The current reliance on external training programs, while seemingly beneficial, often proves to be a significant drain on the judiciary’s financial resources. More critically, these external programs frequently fall short of addressing the unique and specific needs of the Nigerian legal system. Justice Dongban-Mensem highlighted this inefficiency, stating, “A lot of resources of the judiciary is being expended on external training of persons who add very little value to adjudication.”

The establishment of a domestic judicial university, under this proposal, would represent a paradigm shift. It would ensure that judicial staff, from the most junior to the most senior ranks, receive comprehensive training meticulously tailored to the intricate demands and nuances of the Nigerian judicial framework. “If we have a judicial university, our staff, from the very lowest rank to the highest, will be well-equipped, will be trained and tailored towards the needs of the judiciary,” she explained.

Beyond serving Nigeria’s internal requirements, Justice Dongban-Mensem envisioned this judicial university as a beacon of legal scholarship and training for the broader African continent. This outward-looking perspective speaks to a desire for regional self-sufficiency and the strategic allocation of resources. “And indeed, being the great nation that we are… we shall extend our wisdom, our institution to our fellow African nations, so we can save hard-earned money to develop our institutions rather than take them out of this country, because we know what we need more than any other person,” the President stated. This approach would not only foster continental legal development but also preserve national wealth for domestic institutional growth.

In her tribute to Justice Hamma Barka, Justice Dongban-Mensem painted a portrait of a jurist of exceptional character and dedication. She described him as a “gentleman of the highest order” and an “exemplary team player,” acknowledging his distinguished service spanning over four decades. His legal career has seen him serve with distinction across multiple divisions of the Court of Appeal, including Benin, Ilorin, Akure, Calabar, and, most recently, Abuja.

“We celebrate His Lordship’s remarkable legacy with gratitude and admiration. He will undoubtedly be greatly missed by his brother Justices, the Bar, and the entire judicial community,” she remarked, encapsulating the profound impact of his tenure.

The special sitting itself was a vibrant part of the Court of Appeal’s Golden Jubilee celebrations. The event showcased the extensive reach and capacity of the court, with an impressive 21 panels being constituted. These panels, comprising a total of 63 Justices, diligently heard a substantial volume of 330 appeals. The matters addressed spanned the full spectrum of legal practice, encompassing civil, criminal, and commercial cases.

The logistical arrangements for these proceedings demonstrated a collaborative spirit within the judicial ecosystem. Some sessions were conducted at the Court of Appeal Headquarters and the Abuja Division itself, while others took place in courtrooms generously provided by judicial partners, highlighting a unified commitment to the administration of justice.