Buhari appoints Dongban-Mensem as acting president of appeal court

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Monica Dongban-Mensem, a judge, as the acting president of the court of appeal for a period of three months.

Garba Shehu, the senior special assistant on media and publicity to the president, announced the appointment in a statement on Thursday.

According to the statement, Dongban-Mensem’s appointment followed the recommendation of Ibrahim Muhammad, the chief justice of Nigeria, in line with the provisions of the constitution.

The appointment is expected to take effect from March 6 when Zainab Bulkachuwa, the incumbent president of the appellate court, would statutorily retire from service.

“Justice Dongban-Mensem, who is the next most senior judge of the court of appeal, will be acting pending when a substantive appointment to the position of the president of the court of appeal may be made by President Buhari subject to the confirmation of the senate,” the statement said.

“The president’s approval of the appointment of Justice Dongban-Mensem followed the recommendation of the Chief Justice of Nigeria in line with the provisions of Section 238(4) & (5) of the 1999 constitution as amended.”

Dongban-Mensem is currently the presiding justice of the court of appeal, Enugu division.