375 Judges Sworn In for 2027 Election Dispute Tribunals in Nigeria

As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, 375 judges were sworn in on Monday to serve on tribunals that will address election-related disputes. This event took place just 68 days before the elections.

The responsibility for forming these Election Petition Tribunals falls to the President of the Court of Appeal, according to the country’s Constitution. These tribunals will handle petitions from parties who are unhappy with the election results.

Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, the President of the Court of Appeal, spoke at the inauguration ceremony held in Abuja. She emphasized the importance of the judges’ role in maintaining democracy and the rule of law in Nigeria. She stated that the judges must ensure fair resolution of disputes to uphold public trust in the electoral process.

Justice Dongban-Mensem noted that the judges would face significant public scrutiny due to their decisions. Among the 375 judges, 138 have previous experience on tribunals, while 237 are new to this role.