Justice Monica Bolna’an Dongban‑Mensem, President of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria, laid her brother Maurice Yilpoe Mensem to rest on Thursday following a Requiem Mass at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Ngootuguut, Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State. The retired Assistant Superintendent of Police, aged 64, had died on 20 October 2026 after a brief illness.
Key details of the ceremony
- Date of death: 20 October 2026
- Age at death: 64 years
- Position held: Assistant Superintendent of Police, retired after 35 years of service
- Funeral location: St. Thomas Catholic Church, Ngootuguut, Shendam LGA, Plateau State
- Burial site: Family burial ground in Ngootuguut
- Quote from Rev. Fr. Kenneth Yilbil: “The Requiem Mass reminds the living of God’s love and prepares us for our own final day.”
What did the priest say?
Rev. Fr. Kenneth Yilbil explained that the Mass was not meant to resurrect the departed but to remind the congregation of divine love, gratitude, and the inevitability of death. Citing Matthew 5:1‑12, he urged Christians to pursue righteousness, live purposefully, and remain aware of their ultimate accountability before God. He also referenced 1 Thessalonians 4:13‑18, offering prayers for the peaceful repose of Maurice’s soul.
Who attended and what messages were shared?
Representing Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Na’anlong Daniel, expressed condolences and called on citizens to foster peaceful coexistence and leave legacies worth emulating. He comforted the family, noting that Maurice had led a fulfilled and exemplary life.
The Parish Priest of the Church of the Assumption in Masaka, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Isiah, attended via a delegation of parishioners and praised Maurice’s contributions to society, his dedication to community service, family responsibilities, and his Catholic faith.
Background on the deceased
Maurice Yilpoe Mensem served the Nigeria Police Force diligently for 35 years before retiring to Masaka, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. He is survived by his wife, five children, and two grandchildren. After the Mass, his remains were interred at the family burial ground in Ngootuguut, Shendam LGA, Southern Plateau State.
What is Justice Dongban‑Mensem’s career trajectory?
Justice Monica Bolna’an Dongban‑Mensem has held judicial appointments in the Plateau State High Court, the Federal Capital Territory Judiciary, and the Court of Appeal before becoming President of the Court of Appeal in 2020. She appeared visibly grief‑stricken as she mourned the loss of her brother.
The funeral underscored Maurice’s reputation as a man of integrity whose life exemplified service to the nation, devotion to faith, and commitment to family, leaving a lasting impression on the community that gathered to honour him.