Group Expresses Concern over Media Attacks on Appeal Court President

Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

The Peace and Good Governance Advocates (PEGGA), a pressure group in Plateau State, has expressed concern over recent media spotlight on the president of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem over alleged contradictory court judgments on election petitions in the state.

In a statement yesterday, the group averred that there had been no direct relationship between the Appeal Court president and the controversial judgments, expressing concern on why her person was being smeared.

The statement signed by the group’s national coordinator, Mr. Mani Imman, however, called on the Appeal Court president to ensure that she puts herself above all political or personal biases to do her job dutifully.

Imman said: “We are shocked that the person of the president of the Court of Appeal, Hon Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem is being brought into the political battle for the soul of Plateau State.

“It is alleged that those who lost out in the main election are now alleged to be throwing up the person of the respected jurist into the melee. We call on them to desist as the interest of Plateau is above all.

“No one should push the state into unnecessary crises just after a peaceful election. Those who have issues with the election should use the instrumentality of the law to address their issues.

“We, however, call on Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem to put herself above political biases, no matter the pressure on her.”

We are praying for her to resist and to project justice on the Plateau in a way that she and her generations unborn will not regret causing any mayhem that would lead to the death of Plateau citizens.

“We trust that the Almighty God who has brought her to the position of the number one justice in the Appellate Court will not allow her to be used to destroy the peace that is now in her state.”