Lagos CJ unveils e-probate, introduces cashless policy | Nairalaw

The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Opeyemi Oke, last week,
unveiled the Lagos State High Court electronic probate registry,
saying it was aimed at tackling inefficiency, corruption and delay
in the processing of Letters of Administration, relating to
properties of deceased persons.

Describing the e-probate as a step in the right direction, the
Chief Judge said it was created in response to several petitions
she received from public members, who lamented that the procedures
for the procurement of Letters of Administration and probate grant
were cumbersome, unfriendly and fraught with delays.

“Being a critical and strategic service-based department, it was
apparent that the probate must be re-focused, purged and delivered
of all encumberances and corruption, using modern technology, if we
must achieve our desired goal, in line with our vision of a more
vibrant, proactive, highly effective and responsive judiciary,”
Justice Oke said.

She noted that with introduction of technology in the probate,
all forms of human errors and corruption would be eliminated,
declaring that cash payment had been outlawed.

“The process of payment has been made cashless with less
difficulty for all stakeholders. I am happy to inform you that
payment can now be made through the use of POS and mobile transfer
to our designated accounts,” the Chief Judge said, noting that the
initiative would enhance revenue generation.

The e-probate was a result of efforts by a 22-man committee,
chaired by Justice Doris Okuwobi.

In her remarks, Justice Okuwobi noted that the project took four
years to achieve and thanked Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode
“whose administration saw the project through.”

Her Lordship, Hon. Mr. Justice
Opeyemi Oke and Fellow Honourable Judges during the Official
Commissioning of the E-Filing Probate and Archive Registry at the
High Court Igbosere, Lagos State.

She commended the Chief Judge for her doggedness, describing the
e-probate as “another feather to her cap.”

The project consultant, Dayo Fasakin of Novamarks, said users no
longer need to physically visit the probate registry to process
Letters of Administration, noting that everything can now be done
online in the comfort of their offices or homes.