Appeal Court president swears in 375 election tribunal judges for 2027 polls

The President of the Court of Appeal has sworn in 375 judges for election petitions tribunals ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, and the CJN and INEC chair urged them to stay impartial and alert to AI deepfakes.

The President of the Court of Appeal, Monica Dongban-Mensem, on Monday inaugurated 375 judges to serve on election petitions tribunals for the 2027 general elections, Premium Times reports.

She said 138 of the judges are returning members, while 237 will serve on the tribunals for the first time.

The inauguration, held in Abuja, comes ahead of the presidential and National Assembly elections on January 16, and governorship and state Houses of Assembly polls on February 6.

“Resist every attempt at improper influence, whether through political pressure, inducement, intimidation, personal relationships or other considerations extraneous to the administration of justice,” Dongban-Mensem said.

Chief Justice of Nigeria Kudirat Kekere-Ekun urged the judges: “Be firm where firmness is required, patient where patience is necessary, and impartial in every circumstance.”

INEC chairperson Joash Amupitan warned of AI-generated deepfakes, saying: “This digital threat environment will inevitably spill into the courtrooms.”

The Court of Appeal also launched the Judicial Electoral Manual 2026 during the three-day workshop.