2023: Funds to set up tribunals yet to be released, says appeal court president

Monica Dongban-Mensem, president of the court of appeal, says funds for the 2023 general election petition tribunals are yet to be released.

The president of the court of appeal is statutorily empowered to constitute election petition tribunals, while the functions of the National Judicial Council (NJC), which is a federal executive body, include to “collect, control and disburse all monies, capital and recurrent, for the judiciary”.

Speaking at an event to mark the beginning of the 2022/2023 legal year of the appellate court, Dongban-Mensem warned that delaying the release of the funds could interfere with the establishment of tribunals that will hear cases arising from the 2023 polls.

“It is pertinent to state that adequate preparation requires adequate funding,” she said.

“The essential ingredient for the tribunals to function effectively to maximum capacity is the provision of the much-needed funding to provide adequate facilities for the tribunals across the nation.

“The fund to prosecute the 2023 general election petition tribunals has still not been released. This is becoming worrisome as it may impede plans to constitute the various tribunals and courts.

“The process of training of justices, tribunal judges and registry staff is also on hold pending the release of funds.

“The existing tribunals have taken up a whole chunk of the very limited resources of the court. We appeal to the relevant authorities to ensure that the funds for running of the tribunals are released urgently.”

Meanwhile, Dongban-Mensem said she has received nominations for judicial officers who will preside over the tribunals from several heads of court throughout the federation.

“Also, nominations of staff who will man the registries of the tribunals have been received from the various divisions of the court. The election judicial proceedings practice directions 2022 have been reviewed and signed. It will serve as a guide to all stakeholders in providing an improved and efficient electoral adjudicatory process,” she said.

“The usual dispute in each electoral circle had impelled the court to review the judicial electoral manual in order to bring it in line with the Electoral Act, 2022.

“A [13-member] judicial electoral manual committee was inaugurated on May 18, 2022, to conduct this review. With this manual, judges and justices will be greatly aided in the discharge of their duties towards ensuring a smooth running of tribunals.”