Yusuf Bello| The presidency on Sunday explained why President Muhammadu Buhari has not confirmed the appointment of Monica Dongban-Mensem as the President of the Court of Appeal.
In a statement, presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu explained that Buhari is waiting for relevant security agencies to conclude her screening.
According to Shehu, Buhari was not a ‘rubber stamp’ and would await relevant security clearance before confirming Mrs Dongban-Mensem for the position.
Shehu’s statement read, “In the specific case of the Acting President of the Court of Appeal, Her Lordship Justice M. S Dongban-Mensem, the statutory regulatory time of her acting period has not lapsed.”
“This is not about ethnicity or religion. It about security and law enforcement agencies being allowed to complete their work. Nobody should seek to stampede the President in carrying out his constitutional duty in this respect.”
The delay to confirm to Monica Dongban-Mensem as the President of the Court of Appeal by by Buhari has been criticised by many Nigerians including retired colonel, Abubakar Umar who wrote an open letter to the president on the matter last Sunday.
Published below is Shehu’s full statement…
In Making Judicial and other Appointments, President Buhari is not a Rubber Stamp.
In making appointments upon the recommendations of other arms or agencies of the government, the President is not a rubber stamp that will mechanistically sign off on nominees that come before him.
The President has a duty to ensure that all such appointments meet the requirements of the constitution and protecting the supreme law of the land in this regard, he has an obligation to allow law enforcement and security agencies to do their work.
Don’t forget our recent experience with ministers who were signed off upon and turned out as having not undertaken the compulsory National Youth Service, just to give you an example.
In the specific case of the Acting President of the Court of Appeal, Her Lordship Justice M. S Dongban-Mensem, the statutory regulatory time of her acting period has not lapsed. This is not about ethnicity or religion. It about security and law enforcement agencies being allowed to complete their work. Nobody should seek to stampede the President in carrying out his constitutional duty in this respect.
The President had not been a rubber stamp dealing with these matters before, and is not prepared to be one at this time. Let all allow the system to do what is right.
Cover pix: Nigerian judge Monica Dongbam-Mensem is also a road safety advocate following the death of her son in a hit and run accident.
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