Panels for the fourth and last quarter session of the quarterly appeal sessions of the High Court of Justice of Kogi State has been inaugurated.

The Chief Judge of the state, Hon. Justice Josiah Joe Majebi, inaugurated the panels on Tuesday at the judiciary headquarters in Lokoja, the state capital.

The panel are to attend to appeals emanating from lower courts and be sitting in the six judicial divisions across the state commencing from on 1st to 5th December, 2025.

Majebi eulogised judges of the state for their hard work and commitment.

“No amount of reward could compensate judges for the sacrifices and efforts they put into justice administration in the state. We are having the appeal session at the High Court level to review cases handled by the lower courts because we insist that it must be held quarterly in each legal year.

“So, I want you people to put in your best because at the level of the bench, all the Judges designated at the six judicial divisions are already waiting to commence the session after this inauguration.

“Some of those here with me came from their various divisions across the state and that demonstrates the level of commitment and dedication on their part. No matter how much you give a judge today, you are still in arrears of what he is entitled to. You can never compensate a judge,” he said.

He also encouraged lawyers appearing before the panels to put in their best while maintaining that those who were yet to file their cases would not be tolerated as enough time had been given for the purpose.

He admonished those who had filed to shun unnecessary and frivolous applications to avoid causing delays in the determination of their cases.

“If, as a lawyer, you know what you ought to have done before now and you have refused to do it, please just humble yourself. When you know you should have filed an appeal before today and you didn’t do so, none of my Judges will take that. So, just be humble enough to do the needful,” he advised.

However, Majebi commended the NBA, Lokoja Branch, for its successful Law Week, and appreciated the committee the association has placed to look into the new High Court Civil Procedure Rules for possible inputs which he said has been awaited by the court.

Referring to the ‘Week’s’ conference which theme was on the synergy between the bench and the bar for effective justice delivery, he reiterated that the synergy between the bench and the bar must not be compromised for an effective justice delivery process to thrive in the state.

While admitting that no issue has been recorded against any lawyer, even during previous appeal sessions, he urged all parties appearing before the panels to be professionally ethical.

Responding on behalf of his chairman, the executive and members of the association, the Vice Chairman, M. S. Inuwa, Esq., used the opportunity to thank the CJ and the High Court for the provision of the avenue to review cases already determined by lower courts in order to remedy any miscarriage of justice.

He said the opportunity was commendable as it has been beneficial to all parties including the lower courts and their judges whom he said have tremendously improved bearing in mind that their decisions could be reviewed by a higher court.

“We want to sincerely thank you for the appellate session as you have fulfilled your promise for a quarterly session. Our recent conference has given us an opportunity to examine the new High Court Civil Procedure Rules and we’re going to send in a report to advice you on the practice direction.

“The appeal session is an opportunity for our case to be reviewed which further strengthens the course of justice. Whoever is aggrieved at the lower court has the opportunity for the case to be reviewed and it is commendable your lordship.

“You came and changed the narrative and some of us have enjoyed the opportunity. Also, it adds to our purse for those of us who want to be SAN. I assure you that, on our part, we will continue to uphold the ethics of the profession as you’ll agree with us that none of our members has ever been drawn before the ethics committee.

“Also, it must be mentioned that since the consistency of the appeal sessions, the quality of lower court judges in the state is improving. My lord can confirm that the lower court Judges have improved because they know their decisions can now be reviewed. So, we are very grateful for the impact it is making on Justice delivery in the state,” he stated.

A total of 129 cases from different divisions in the state would be determined by the six panels located across the state.

Of these, Lokoja which has two panels will handle 54 cases; Ankpa, also with two panels, will handle 36 cases and Idah, which also has two panels has 16 cases to deal with. Other divisions like Okene, Anyigba and Kabba have one panel each, with a considerable number of cases between them.

Majebi wished the judges, lawyers and litigants involved in the appeal a successful session confident that all the cases would receive the deserved attention.