Magistrates, Senior Lawyer Seek End Into Analogue Judiciary In Nigeria

Magistrates, Senior Lawyer Seek End Into Analogue Judiciary In Nigeria

TECHDIGEST – Legal luminary and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Mrs Funmi Quadri has canvassed for an end into analogue judiciary system in Nigeria if quick dispensation of justice is to be quaranteed as being witnessed in the advanced world.

The legal giant challenged the leadership of the country’s judiciary to vigorously and rigorously purse technically driven new judicial system and practices to decongest court cases, prisons and advance the course of quick justice delivery.

She spoke in Abuja at an interactive session organized by the Magistrates’ Association of Nigeria MAN, Federal Capital Territory branch put together to advance the use of information technology in courts for a better job delivery.

The legal luminary identified analogue system as the major hindrance to rapid growth of Nigeria’s judiciary adding that the same old archaic system was responsible for the crowded cases in the courts.

She told gathering that Nigeria at the moment has over 70,000 inmates in prisons with 49,000 of them awaiting trial adding that their daily transportation to courts should occasion adoption of digital system that will facilitate quick determination of cases for and against inmates.

The senior lawyer also cited the outbreak of covid-19 pandemic as another factor that must speed up the use of digital system in the judiciary to prevent worsening situation in courts

She comended the Magistrates in the FCT branch for spearheading the use of information technology at the level and challenge them to transform not only institution but individual towards the path of quick justice delivery.

As a way out, the technical savvy silk advocated the electronic filing of cases adding that in the present era, people do not need to be physically in court premises before they should file their cases.

She also canvassed for electronic assignment of cases rather than carrying bundle of case files from one court to another while consideration must also be given to electronic payment for case filling.

The senior lawyer recalled that the Supreme Court has in the wake of outbreak of covid-19 given stamp of authority to video conference and pleaded that the system be further developed to facilitate quick determination of cases in the country.

“Iam aware of adveerse effects of writing in long hands on Judges and Magistrates. By the time digital system is fully entrenched in our judiciary system, not only will the course of justice will be advanced but the judicial officers will in no small way be better for It”

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Magistrates association in the FCT, Musa Abdulrasaq Eneye said that judiciary as undeniable intrinsic part of democratic system of government in any clime remains strategic and must keep pace with the advanced world for better practice.

“The need to move in the direction of better service delivery and efficacy in the performance of our judicial functions through the use of information and Communication Technology ICT remains sacrosanct if we must move in line with global best practices”

Magistrate Eneye explained that electronic law tools, internet availability, smart devices, hard and softwares are no longer alien to a progressive legal system adding “our jobs are made easier when we are equipped with updated tools for the dispensation of justice”

He also spoke of the need for training and retraining for judicial officers to transform into improved efficiency and expressed optimism that the collaborations with senior lawyer Funmi Quadri will make Magistracy at the FCT a role model.

Magistrate Eneye thanked the acting Chief Judge of the FCT, Justice Hussein Baba Yusuf for his support to Magistrates in the territory adding “My Lord, the acting Chief Judge has always been an outstanding innovative jurist and we are grateful for the prestigious pedestal upon which my Lord places progress, innovation and excellence”