Court of Appeal, Nigeria

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In 1976, the Court of Appeal (originally known as the Federal Court of Appeal) was established as a national court to entertain appeals from the High Courts of each of Nigeria's 36 states, which are the trial courts of general jurisdiction.

29th August, 2026President of the Court of Appeal Calls for Stronger Global Cooperation and Prompt Repatriation of Recov...
01/09/2026

29th August, 2026

President of the Court of Appeal Calls for Stronger Global Cooperation and Prompt Repatriation of Recovered Assets

The President of the Court of Appeal, Nigeria, Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, CFR, has called for stronger international cooperation in the fight against economic crime and the prompt repatriation of recovered illicit assets to victim nations.

Justice Dongban-Mensem made the call in her Vote of Thanks at the closing of the 43rd Cambridge International Symposium on Economic Crime, held at Jesus College, University of Cambridge, from August 24 to 31, 2026.

The Symposium brought together experts from different jurisdictions, legal traditions and institutions to examine emerging challenges in economic crime, asset recovery and international cooperation.

The President expressed profound appreciation to Professor Barry Rider, OBE, and his wife, Mrs. Norma Rider, for their vision, intellectual leadership and enduring commitment to the Symposium, describing it as a distinguished global forum for confronting the complex challenges posed by economic crime.

She also expressed appreciation to the University of Cambridge and Jesus College for hosting the gathering.

Justice Dongban-Mensem urged participants to translate the insights and commitments generated at the Symposium into measurable action, stressing that combating economic crime requires persistence, courage, humility and sustained collaboration.

She noted that despite differences in legal systems and jurisdictions, participants remained united by the common objective of confronting economic crime while preserving justice, legitimacy and the rule of law.

According to her, contemporary asset recovery efforts must focus on tracing, freezing, confiscating and, where lawful, repatriating criminal assets, while ensuring that such measures respect fundamental rights and are grounded in due process.

She further called for more effective cross-border cooperation and timely exchange of information to enable authorities to follow illicit financial flows, particularly in the face of emerging threats such as cryptocurrencies, cybercrime, sophisticated fraud and environmental crime.

“Above all, we must make crime unprofitable,” the President stated, adding that illicit gains must not become instruments for further accumulation, influence or impunity.

Justice Dongban-Mensem also highlighted the critical role of accountants and auditors in safeguarding the integrity of the financial system. She observed that their position within the financial ecosystem places them in a unique position to detect early warning signs of irregularities, suspicious transactions and emerging patterns of financial crime.

She emphasised that economic crime could not be effectively addressed by courts and law-enforcement agencies alone, but required a collective response involving professionals, institutions, regulators and society.

The President particularly acknowledged the large Nigerian delegation at the Symposium, comprising representatives of the judiciary, law-enforcement agencies, regulatory bodies and financial institutions.

She said the delegation’s sustained engagement demonstrated Nigeria’s commitment to combating economic and financial crime through institutional collaboration and international cooperation.

According to her, inter-agency synergy, information sharing, complementary mandates and sustained political will were essential to achieving meaningful and sustainable outcomes in the fight against economic crime.

Justice Dongban-Mensem warned that illicit assets should not find safe havens simply by crossing international borders or entering different jurisdictions.

“Our collective responsibility is to ensure that borders do not become safe havens for illicit wealth,” she said.

She called for stronger international cooperation, mutual legal assistance and effective institutional partnerships to ensure that unlawfully acquired assets could neither be concealed nor transferred beyond the effective reach of justice.

The President further stressed the importance of cooperation with more advanced jurisdictions in tracing, recovering and restoring stolen assets to their rightful owners, while insisting that such cooperation must uphold constitutional safeguards, transparency and the rule of law.

She reminded participants that economic crime extends beyond financial and criminal-justice concerns, noting that stolen resources deprive societies of opportunities, corruption weakens institutions and illicit financial flows undermine development.

Justice Dongban-Mensem reaffirmed that no criminal enterprise, regardless of its sophistication, power or complexity, should be beyond the reach of justice.

In a major concluding appeal, the President urged Professor Rider and the organizers of the Cambridge Symposium to consider convening a special symposium dedicated to the prompt return of recovered assets to victim nations.

“Without repatriation, the promise of justice remains unfulfilled,” she declared.

She expressed the hope that the partnerships forged at Cambridge would endure beyond the Symposium and translate into stronger institutions, greater accountability, effective international cooperation and renewed public confidence.

She also called for collective efforts to advance justice, facilitate the lawful recovery and repatriation of illicit assets, and ensure that recovered resources are restored to their rightful purposes.

29th August, 2026Nigeria's judiciary, law enforcement, and financial regulators were prominently represented at the 43rd...
30/08/2026

29th August, 2026

Nigeria's judiciary, law enforcement, and financial regulators were prominently represented at the 43rd Cambridge International Symposium on Economic Crime, which concluded at the University of Cambridge.

Hon. Justice Monica Bolna'an Dongban-Mensem, CFR, JP, President of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria, delivered the vote of thanks, warning that illicit wealth must not be allowed to fund further crime, influence, or impunity.

In her remarks, she said the Nigerian delegation's participation reflected the country's commitment to fighting economic crime through "institutional collaboration and international cooperation."

She thanked symposium founder Professor Barry Rider, OBE, the University of Cambridge, and Jesus College for hosting the event from 24-31 August.

Hon. Justice Dongban-Mensem stressed that economic crime is "not merely a financial problem" but a question of social justice, as stolen resources "deprive societies of opportunities" and weaken public confidence.

The symposium's key takeaway, she said, was the need for persistence, courage, and collaboration to make "the financial foundations of criminal enterprises increasingly difficult to sustain."

She calls for the prompt return of recovered assets to victim nations. Without repatriation, the promise of justice remains unfulfilled.

27th August, 2026Day 4The Forty-Third Cambridge International Symposium on Economic Crime.
29/08/2026

27th August, 2026

Day 4

The Forty-Third Cambridge International Symposium on Economic Crime.

26th August, 2026Day 3The Forty-Third Cambridge International Symposium on Economic Crime.
27/08/2026

26th August, 2026

Day 3

The Forty-Third Cambridge International Symposium on Economic Crime.

25th August, 2026Day 2 The Forty-Third Cambridge International Symposium on Economic Crime.
26/08/2026

25th August, 2026

Day 2

The Forty-Third Cambridge International Symposium on Economic Crime.

24th August, 2026President of the Court of Appeal Calls for Stronger International Cooperation in Fight Against Economic...
25/08/2026

24th August, 2026

President of the Court of Appeal Calls for Stronger International Cooperation in Fight Against Economic Crime.

The President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Monica Bolna’an Dongban-Mensem, CFR, has delivered a keynote address at the 43rd International Symposium on Economic Crime, held at Jesus College, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.

The Forty-Third Annual International Symposium on Economic Crime brings together from across the globe a unique depth of expertise to address issues relating to the protection of economies and institutions from economically motivated crime and abuse.

Held annually and hosted by Jesus College, Cambridge, the Symposium is organised under the auspices of the Centre for Geopolitics of the University of Cambridge, with the support of governmental and academic institutions from around the world. It has established itself as one of the leading non-governmental platforms for discussions on the prevention and control of economic crime, attracting nearly 2,000 participants annually, including government officials, law enforcement officers, prosecutors, judges, legislators, financial intermediaries and their advisers, compliance personnel, legal and accounting practitioners, and academics from more than 100 countries.

Delivering a keynote address, the president of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, CFR, emphasised the far reaching human and societal consequences of corruption, noting that every act of corruption represents more than a financial loss.

According to her, particularly in Nigeria, behind every stolen public resource lies a human consequence, including schools that remain unbuilt, hospitals that remain unequipped, infrastructure left incomplete, and communities deprived of essential services and opportunities.

Justice Dongban-Mensem, therefore stressed that asset recovery should not be viewed merely as the recovery of money or property, but as an essential component of restoring justice.

She noted that effective asset recovery affirms the principle that public resources belong to the people and must be administered in the public interest.

The President of the Court of Appeal highlighted the importance of international and comparative engagement in tackling economic crime, observing that no jurisdiction possesses a monopoly on legal knowledge or institutional experience.

She said the exchange of perspectives among common law, civil law and mixed legal systems enriches collective understanding and facilitates the development of responses that are both effective and consistent with constitutional values.

Justice Dongban-Mensem identified key questions confronting jurisdictions worldwide, including how to prevent illicit wealth from escaping accountability, establish evidential standards that are fair and effective, and balance the interests of victim communities with the legitimate concerns of institutions involved in asset recovery.

She maintained that these challenges demonstrate that asset recovery is not merely a technical legal exercise.

While acknowledging progress in supporting victim communities, the Court of Appeal President called for continued efforts to strengthen restorative justice systems and institutional capacity, particularly in jurisdictions where illicit assets are identified, concealed or located.

She further emphasised that the administration of recovered assets must be guided by transparency, integrity and public accountability.

“Responsible stewardship ensures asset recovery is not complete upon the identification and seizure of assets,” she said, stressing that recovered assets must be lawfully preserved, transparently managed and appropriately utilised.

Justice Dongban-Mensem also underscored the need for collaboration among judges, prosecutors, investigators, legislators, regulators, financial institutions, academics and civil society organisations, noting that the challenges posed by economic crime cannot be overcome by any single institution, jurisdiction or profession.

She called for collective action to ensure that the pursuit of accountability does not compromise the integrity of justice, that international cooperation strengthens rather than weakens constitutional protections, and that innovation remains firmly anchored in the rule of law.

As the Symposium commenced, the Court of Appeal President urged participants to engage with openness, professional humility and a shared commitment to constitutional values.

She expressed the hope that the deliberations would generate practical, innovative and sustainable solutions, enhance international cooperation, and deepen the collective understanding of the complex and evolving nature of criminality in an interconnected world.

Justice Dongban-Mensem concluded by reaffirming the importance of unity and international collaboration in confronting criminal threats, declaring that justice prevails when nations collaborate, institutions act with purpose, and commitment to the rule of law remains resolute.

She called on participants to make the Symposium a defining moment in reaffirming the shared determination to confront criminal threats with resolve, integrity and unity, stressing that no criminal enterprise, however powerful or complex, should be beyond the reach of justice.

28th July, 2026COURT OF APPEAL SETS ASIDE FEDERAL HIGH COURT JUDGEMENT ORDERING INEC TO DEREGISTER 5 POLITICAL PARTIESTh...
30/07/2026

28th July, 2026

COURT OF APPEAL SETS ASIDE FEDERAL HIGH COURT JUDGEMENT ORDERING INEC TO DEREGISTER 5 POLITICAL PARTIES

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has set aside the judgment of the Federal High Court which directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister five political parties for allegedly failing to satisfy the constitutional requirements for continued registration.

The decision was delivered unanimously by a three-man panel of the Court led by Hon. Justice Abba Mohammed, which held that the Federal High Court lacked the requisite jurisdiction to entertain the suit as it was fundamentally incompetent from inception.

The Court held that the action instituted by the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL) was incurably defective because the body was not a juristic entity at the time the suit was commenced and therefore lacked the legal capacity to institute the action.

The appellate court further held that the trial court erred in allowing amendments to an incompetent suit, reiterating the settled principle of law that no amendment can cure a fundamental defect relating to jurisdiction. Consequently, it declared the entire proceedings conducted by the lower court, together with all orders made therein, a nullity.

The Court also faulted the trial Judge, Hon. Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, for proceeding with the hearing of the matter despite a subsisting order of the Court of Appeal directing a stay of proceedings, describing the action as one taken in defiance of the appellate court’s directive.

In addition, the panel held that the trial court failed to properly evaluate the evidence placed before it. It observed that uncontroverted evidence demonstrating that the affected political parties had won elective seats in previous elections was ignored, notwithstanding its relevance to the constitutional requirements governing the continued registration of political parties.

The Court held that, in the circumstances, the Federal High Court ought to have dismissed the substantive suit for want of jurisdiction and, in any event, for lacking merit.

Accordingly, the Court of Appeal allowed the separate appeals filed by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Accord Party, Action Alliance (AA), and Action Peoples Party (APP). The Court also awarded costs against the National Forum of Former Legislators.

The judgment restores and affirms the status of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Accord Party, Action Alliance (AA), and Action Peoples Party (APP) as duly registered political parties under the law.

Court of Appeal At 50 Did you know that the idea for a national intermediate appellate court in Nigeria was shaped by th...
27/07/2026

Court of Appeal At 50

Did you know that the idea for a national intermediate appellate court in Nigeria was shaped by the 1975 Constitution Drafting Committee, which recommended the creation of a Court of Appeal to bridge the gap between the High Courts and the Supreme Court.

This recommendation laid the foundation for the establishment of the Court of Appeal in 1976, strengthening the nation’s judicial system and improving access to justice.

13th July, 2026COURT OF APPEAL AFFIRMS JUDGMENT RESTRAINING INEC FROM RECOGNISING ADC CONGRESSES CONDUCTED BY MARK-LED L...
14/07/2026

13th July, 2026

COURT OF APPEAL AFFIRMS JUDGMENT RESTRAINING INEC FROM RECOGNISING ADC CONGRESSES CONDUCTED BY MARK-LED LEADERSHIP

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Monday has upheld the judgment of the Federal High Court restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or participating in state congresses organised by committees constituted by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) leadership led by Senator David Mark.

The decision was reached by a majority of the three-member panel, with Hon. Justice Okon Abang and Hon. Justice Donatus Okorowo holding that there was no basis to interfere with the orders of the trial court. Accordingly, the Court affirmed the judgment of the Federal High Court.

The Court also upheld the order restraining the party’s caretaker leadership from interfering with the tenure and functions of the duly elected State Executive Committees. It held that the authority to conduct state congresses is vested in the elected State Executive Committees and not in the party’s national leadership.

Delivering the lead judgment, the majority held that the courts were right to intervene in the dispute, stressing that judicial intervention was necessary to safeguard constitutional order. The Court observed that it had a duty to intervene to “prevent anarchy and ensure the survival of democracy in Nigeria.”

Justice Abang further stated:

“Once a complaint before the court is anchored on a constitutional infraction, the shield of internal affairs drops and the veil is lifted for judicial intervention.”

Relying on a recent decision of the Supreme Court in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership dispute, the Court held that the ADC crisis could not be treated as a mere internal party affair where constitutional issues had arisen.

In his dissenting judgment, Hon. Justice Abba Mohammed held that the dispute related to the internal affairs of the political party and was therefore non-justiciable. He maintained that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit.

Justice Mohammed further held that the role of the State Executive Committees is limited to preparing the agenda for state congresses and does not extend to conducting them. He described the actions of the 1st to 7th respondents as premature.

Consequently, the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal and affirmed the judgment of the Federal High Court. It held that the state congresses and the national convention conducted by the David Mark-led caretaker leadership were null and void, having been carried out in defiance of a subsisting court order.
The Court also awarded costs of ₦10 million in favour of the 1st to 7th respondents.

10th July, 2026DELEGATES FROM INAUGURAL INTERNATIONAL BAR ASSOCIATION (IBA) JUDGES’ FORUM CONFERENCE PAY COURTESY VISIT ...
13/07/2026

10th July, 2026

DELEGATES FROM INAUGURAL INTERNATIONAL BAR ASSOCIATION (IBA) JUDGES’ FORUM CONFERENCE PAY COURTESY VISIT TO COURT OF APPEAL

Delegates attending the inaugural International Bar Association (IBA) Judges’ Forum Conference on Friday paid a courtesy visit to the Court of Appeal, where they were received by the President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Monica Bolna’an Dongban-Mensem, CFR, represented by the Presiding Justice of the Abuja Division, Hon. Justice Mohammed Abi-Usi Danjuma alongside Honourable Justices of the Court.

The visit provided an opportunity for meaningful engagement on issues relating to judicial independence, the administration of justice, and international collaboration among members of the judiciary. It also underscored the Court of Appeal’s commitment to fostering partnerships that promote excellence, innovation, and the rule of law within the global judicial community.

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Shehu Shagari Way, Three Arms Zone, Central Business District
Abuja
234

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 04:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 04:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 04:00
Thursday 08:00 - 04:00
Friday 08:00 - 04:00

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+2348035076624

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