- The Centre for Socio-Legal Studies urged Nigeria’s Chief Justice to expedite electronic court processes to reduce delays
- Professor Akinseye-George criticized manual court recording, calling for urgent implementation of e-filing and other electronic systems to enhance efficiency
The Centre for Socio-Legal Studies (CSLS) has urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) to accelerate the introduction of electronic processes in court proceedings.
The group argues that the continued manual system contributes significantly to delays and indefinite extensions of court cases.
Professor Yemi Akinseye-George, SAN, made this appeal during a capacity-building workshop for ACJA Rangers in the FCT and seven focal states of the RoLAC/IIDEA Project. The event focused on implementing the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 and state-level ACJ laws.
Speaking at the workshop, Akinseye-George criticized the outdated practice of judges recording court proceedings manually, calling it “condemnable and barbaric.”
He stated, “This manual approach is one of the key reasons for case delays. We urge the CJN to set an urgent deadline for implementing E-filing, E-service, E-assignment, and E-recording of court proceedings.
These are crucial for meeting the National Minimum Standards for effectively implementing the ACJA.”
Sadiya Adamu Aliyu, a State Counsel from the Kano Ministry of Justice, highlighted Kano State’s progress in adopting and implementing the ACJL since 2019.
“Kano has achieved around 70% implementation of the ACJL with significant success. It ensures justice for defendants, complainants, and the state,” Aliyu said.
She also noted innovations like day-to-day trials, which have reduced long adjournments, expediting justice delivery.
The workshop is part of RoLAC’s broader initiative to improve Nigeria’s justice system. Similar sessions will be held in other locations to enhance understanding of the National Minimum Standards for effective implementation of the ACJA among ACJA Rangers and the public.
The call for electronic processes aims to modernize the judiciary, reduce delays, and ensure more efficient justice delivery across Nigeria.
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