With the numerous election appeals before the Court of Appeal, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has asked justices of the appellate court to brace up for the work ahead.
The minister, who spoke at a ceremony to mark the commencement of the 2023/2024 legal year of the Court of Appeal, indicated that a lot of industry is required while hearing and determining these appeals, as the public has tremendous faith in the decisions of this court.
He said: “My Lord Justices, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, there is no doubt that the previous legal year have been tasking and demanding due to the numerous pre-election matters which gave birth to appeals from interlocutory decisions and final decisions of the Federal High Courts. This year might not be different in view of the numerous pending election appeals.
“I commend the President of the Court of Appeal for the nine justices that were recently sworn in by My Lord, the Chief Justice of Nigeria. This will undoubtedly go a long way in reducing the workload on the justices of the court and enhancing justice delivery in the country.
“My Lords, another legal year has come and this year is particularly unique because of the election appeals, which I earlier alluded to.”
Wike, who was addressing the justices for the first time in his capacity as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, stated that the opening of a Legal Year is much more than an ancient tradition, rather a practice in pursuit of justice and the upholding of the rule of law.
“This is so because it affords this Honourable Court the opportunity to reflect on its successes and challenges in the previous year with a view to celebrating those successes and working towards providing solutions to the challenges and also projecting into the New Year.
“Today’s event is therefore not just a ceremonial milestone; it is a testament to the enduring commitment of our legal fraternity to the pursuit of justice and the upholding of the rule of law,” he said.
