Court of Appeal Port Harcourt hears 357 appeals with 51 justices in special sitting, commissioning ADR centre and honouring retiring judge
The Court of Appeal deployed 51 Justices to its Port Harcourt Division on Thursday to hear 357 appeals and 272 motions, part of activities marking the court’s 50th anniversary.
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The special sitting in Rivers State also featured the commissioning of an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) centre and the valedictory honour of retiring Justice Obietonbara Owupele Daniel-Kalio.
Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, President of the Court of Appeal, said 17 panels were constituted for the exercise, describing it as a deliberate intervention to decongest the division’s heavy docket.
She disclosed that proceedings would run throughout the week, with some sessions held at the High Court Complex due to space constraints.
“I am pleased to note that the Port Harcourt Division is the second Division, after Lagos, to benefit from this initiative in honour of our golden jubilee,” Justice Dongban-Mensem said.
She highlighted the division’s role as a training ground for Justices, noting that many who served there later rose to the Supreme Court.
The President described Justice Daniel-Kalio as a diligent and exceptional jurist. “My Lord Justice Daniel-Kalio’s name is work after God, work, work and work.
A very knowledgeable judge whose story shall be sung at the valedictory,” she said.
Justice Dongban-Mensem urged lawyers to approach the sitting with diligence and to avoid filing unnecessarily voluminous processes that could delay proceedings.
She also cautioned journalists against sensational reporting, stressing that accurate coverage is essential to inform and educate the public.
As part of the celebration, the President commissioned the Court of Appeal Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre, describing it as a “second door to justice” for litigants.
Mrs Cordelia Uwuma Eke, Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Port Harcourt Branch, welcomed the intervention, saying it would accelerate access to justice in the jurisdiction.
Chief O.C.J. Okocha, SAN, representing the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, commended the court’s effort to reduce delays in case disposal.
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The special sitting forms a key highlight of the court’s golden jubilee celebrations, aiming to tackle the backlog of cases in the oil-rich Port Harcourt Division while strengthening the administration of justice in the region.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
