POSITION OF THE GAMAI UNITY AND DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION (GUDO)
ON THE ATTEMPT TO SHORT-CHANGE JUSTICE MONICA DONGBAN-MENSEM, AS SUBSTANTIVE PRESIDENT OF THE COURT OF APPEAL.

1. The attention of the Gamai Unity and Development Organisation (GUDO) has been drawn to the news making the rounds concerning our illustrious daughter, Plateau State’s Amazon and shining light of the North Central Region, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, the Acting-President of the Court of Appeal, Abuja.
   Since her recommendation by the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the approval given by H.E President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR Monica Dongban-Mensem has discharged her duties with commitment, courage and determination; the very reason why the National Judicial Council (NJC) has submitted her name and recommended her for confirmation as SUBSTANTIVE PRESIDENT of the Court of Appeal.
   For the avoidance of doubt, GUDO sincerely salutes the NJC for believing in her competence and professional conduct in the discharge of her duties, thus the recommendation!
2. We have received with mixed feelings and reservations the rumours of the grand plans to substitute the Acting President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem with one that is next in line to her in the order of seniority; little wonder then that in an open letter to the President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, Col. (Rtd) Umar Dangiwa opined that the President should be seen to belong to all of us Nigerians, irrespective of tribe, religion and region; GUDO equally beckons on the President’s good office to follow the path of honor by actualizing the recommendation of the National Judicial Council, to submit Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem’s name to the Senate for confirmation as the SUBSTANTIVE President of the Court of Appeal. We are compelled, on behalf of the entire Gamai people both at home and in the Diaspora, to speak strongly against what appears to be a grand design to short-change our daughter, Plateau State and the North Central region as a whole of this glorious opportunity to serve Nigeria.
3. We feel constrained to voice out against this politicisation and violation of the established tradition of succession to the Presidency of the Court of Appeal for which Justice Dongban-Mensem is eminently qualified and payed her due impeccably. Having served in Acting capacity, it is proper that she be given the presidential nod to carry out this National assignment to its logical conclusion as the SUBSTANTIVE President.
4. What is most worrisome to us is the emerging arm-twisting and baseless allegations being bantered by enemies of justice and diligence, all in a view to pave the way for their preferred choice to assume the Presidency of the Court of Appeal. This is a plot that is already being interpreted in negative light by a wide spectrum of Nigerians.
5. Details of these orchestrated and unwholesome moves are already in the public domain, and the dire consequences of such actions on the integrity of the Judiciary and our National unity are rearing their heads. It is our strong belief that the National Judicial Council should stand firm in defence of their submission and recommendations to the President, Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, for the confirmation of Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem as Substantive President of the Court of Appeal, anything short of this will also put the Judiciary in bad light giving a precedence which is capable of demeaning the status of the Judiciary and compromising its integrity as the hallowed temple of Justice. Such subterfuge is also a bad omen, with great potentials to undermine the much-clamoured good governance and rule of law of this administration.
6. In conclusion, we are also appealing to President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, The National Assembly all men and women of good conscience, those on the Bench and at the Bar, political leaders, Civil Society and other stakeholders to lend their voice against this dangerous precedence and act of impunity that is capable of derailing the most cherished sanctity of the Judiciary in the dispensation of Justice in the country.

Thanks and God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

Signed:

Bitkop Damsuk Fidelis
(GUDO Secretary General)

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Gamai Dev. Organisation Speaks on Alleged Attempt to Shortchange Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem as Court of Appeal Substantive President