To address the majority of the challenges hindering efficient justice delivery in the country, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun has been urged to promote the adoption of technology in court operations.
A justice sector reform advocacy group – the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies (CSLS) – said this while noting that the nation’s judicial system “is becoming increasingly clogged, making it difficult for litigants to obtain timely and fair resolution of disputes.”
CSLS’ President, Professor Yemi Akinseye-George (SAN) expressed the group’s view while speaking in Abuja on Friday on measure being initiated by his organisation to promote the recently National Minimum Standards (NMS) intended for effective implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) and the Administration of Criminal Justice Laws (ACJLs) of various states.
He noted that delays in the administration of justice remain a pressing issue, adding that “many cases are filed solely to delay justice, exploiting inefficiencies in the system.
“Even when judgments are eventually delivered, successful litigants often face difficulties in enforcing court decisions due to bureaucratic bottlenecks and a general disregard for judicial rulings.
“The growing perception that the courts are unable to dispense justice fairly and efficiently is deeply troubling. Such a perception discourages economic investment, erodes public trust, weakens the rule of law, and poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy,” the CSLS said.
To address the identified challenges and many others, he urge the CJN, as the leader of the legal profession and the broader justice sector, to take bold and proactive measures to improve the administration of justice.
He added: “A key priority should be the adoption of technology to modernize judicial processes. The continued reliance on manual, longhand recording of court proceedings is no longer acceptable.
“The conditions under which our judges operate are challenging, inefficient, and outdated.
If we can use technology to enhance efficiency in our personal and professional lives, there is no justification for failing to apply technological solutions to expedite and enhance justice delivery.
Credit: thenationonlineng.net