The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, on Friday swore in Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, as the President of the Court of Appeal.
Today’s swearing-in came on the heels of her being recommended by the National Judicial Council to President Muhammadu Buhari and subsequent confirmation of the appointment by the Senate.
Before now, she has been acting as the President of the Court of Appeal since March 6, 2020, when her predecessor, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa retired.
Honourable Justice Monica lost her son in a hit-and-run crash several years ago, which according to her, resulted in her being an active member of the Special Marshal, a volunteer arm of FRSC.
To add glamour to the ceremony and as a way of identifying with the dedicated Special Marshal Honourable Justice Monica Dongban, the National Coordinator for Special Marshal in Nigeria, SM Sini Titsi Kwabe with some handful numbers of Special Marshals joined him to rejoice with her and to represent other Special Marshals in Nigeria at the swearing-in ceremony.
Hon Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem was born on 13th June 1957, to the family of M.B. Douglas-Mensem; a retired Appeal Court Justice.
She was a Visiting Lecturer on Press Law at the Catholic Media Centre, Kaduna from 1988-1992 and Part-time Lecturer at the University of Jos between 1989 and 1997.
From 1990-1993, Justice Dongban-Mensem served as Deputy Chief Registrar, Superior Courts and Protocol Affairs, and was appointed Judge, High Court of Justice, Plateau Judiciary from 1993-1996.
Hon Justice Dongban-Mensem, transferred his service to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Judiciary in 1997, where she served until she was elevated to the Court of Appeal in 2003.
Recall that she was sworn-in as the Acting President, Court of Appeal, on March 6, 2020, by the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
Until this recent elevation, Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem was the Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, and Life Member of Body of Benchers.
Her leisure is writing, reading, golfing, working with children, women and the elderly. Apart from these, she is also an active member of Special Marshal in Nigeria. She is a mother of four children and two grandchildren.
