Court of Appeal President Inaugurates 375 Judges for 2027 Election Tribunals
The President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, has inaugurated 375 judges who will serve on election petition tribunals ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The inauguration took place on Monday at the Body of Benchers Complex in Abuja as the judiciary intensified preparations for the resolution of electoral disputes that may arise from next year’s polls.
The 375 judicial officers were drawn from various courts and judicial institutions across the country. Of the number, 138 have previously served on election petition tribunals, while 237 will be participating in the assignment for the first time.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dongban-Mensem described the exercise as an important institutional preparation for the judiciary’s responsibility in safeguarding Nigeria’s electoral process.
She said the credibility of democracy depended not only on the conduct of elections but also on the existence of impartial, effective and timely mechanisms for resolving disputes arising from the electoral process.
The Court of Appeal president urged the judges to discharge their responsibilities with integrity and impartiality, warning them against political pressure, inducement, intimidation and other forms of improper influence.
She also cautioned against unnecessary adjournments, stressing that the need for speed must not undermine fairness in the determination of election petitions.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, who also addressed the gathering, urged the judges to allow their judicial oaths to guide their decisions and remain impartial under pressure.
She reminded them that election petitions often attract intense public attention and expectations, but insisted that such pressures must not distract them from dispensing justice according to the law.
The inauguration was held during a three-day workshop themed, “Election Tribunal as a Tool for Political Stability.”
The Court of Appeal also unveiled the 2026 edition of the Judicial Electoral Manual, designed to guide judicial officers in handling election-related disputes under the amended electoral framework.
The Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman, Joash Amupitan, urged the tribunals to balance procedural speed with thoroughness and impartiality.
He also drew attention to emerging technological threats, including artificial intelligence-generated content, deepfake videos and cloned digital materials, warning that such developments could complicate the presentation and assessment of evidence in election disputes.
Under Section 285 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, the President of the Court of Appeal is responsible for constituting election petition tribunals to determine disputes arising from governorship and National and State Houses of Assembly elections.
The judiciary is expected to play a critical role in resolving disputes following the 2027 general elections, with the credibility of its decisions likely to influence public confidence in the country’s democratic institutions.