A total of 375 judges have been inaugurated by the President of the Court of Appeal to serve on the 2027 election petition tribunals.
The judges will handle disputes arising from the 2027 general elections, with 68 days remaining before the polls.
They were inaugurated on Monday at the Body of Benchers Complex in Abuja.
The exercise is in line with Section 285, 1, and 2 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which empowers the President of the Court of Appeal to constitute election petition tribunals.
It also follows Section 134, 3, a, and b of the Electoral Act 2026, which provides timelines for establishing the tribunals and opening their registries.
“A Significant Institutional Step”
Speaking at the inauguration, President of the Court of Appeal Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem said the exercise demonstrated the judiciary’s commitment to constitutional democracy, the rule of law, and the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral system.
She described the inauguration as a significant institutional step towards preparing the judiciary for its responsibility of resolving disputes from the electoral process.
“This gathering is more than a ceremonial event; it is an important institutional preparation for one of the most consequential responsibilities entrusted to the judiciary,” she said.
“The credibility of democracy depends not only on the conduct of elections but also on the existence of impartial, effective, and timely mechanisms for resolving electoral disputes.”
“Through the fair determination of such disputes, the judiciary safeguards the people’s mandate, upholds constitutional supremacy and sustains public confidence in democratic governance,” Dongban-Mensem said.
The appellate court president called on the judges to discharge their responsibilities with integrity and impartiality.
She reminded them that their conduct and decisions would attract considerable public attention.
Experience Mix
Dongban-Mensem disclosed that the 375 judicial officers were selected from different courts and judicial institutions across the country.
According to her, 138 of the judges had previously served on election petition tribunals, while the remaining 237 were appointed for the first time.
“Of this number, 138 are returning members with previous tribunal experience, while 237 are newly nominated members,” she added.
