President Muhammadu Buhari has forwarded the nomination of Monica Dongban-Mensem, acting president of the Court of Appeal, to the senate for confirmation as the substantive head of the court.
Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, disclosed this on Monday.
Dongban-Mensem has been the acting Head of the Appellate Court since the retirement of Zainab Bulkachuwa in March.
The National Judicial Council (NJC) had earlier recommended Dongban-Mensem as the substantive head of the court but President Buhari decided to extend her tenure in an acting capacity and did not send her name to the senate for confirmation, drawing a gale of criticisms from analysts and public figures including the retired former colonel Abubakar Umar.
In a two-paragraph statement on Monday, Shehu said Buhari transmitted her name to the senate in line with his “constitutional responsibility”.
“President Muhammadu Buhari, in-line with his constitutional responsibility has sent the nomination of Her Lordship, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, Acting President, Court of Appeal to the Senate for confirmation as President, Court of Appeal,” the statement read.
“Justice Dongban-Mensem is a serving Justice of the Court of Appeal and was recommended, as is the practice, by the National Judicial Council for the nomination by the President.”