No Going Back On E-Filing Of Court Processes, E-Judgments — CJN

*Says judges must deploy ICT to tackle increasing caseload

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Ibrahim Muhammad, on
Monday, said the Judiciary would embark on a full-scale digital
revolution that would guarantee electronic filing of court
processes and virtual delivery of judgments.

The CJN, who spoke at the opening ceremony of a national
workshop for judiciary workers in the Information and Communication
Technology, ICT, department, said the Judiciary had in 2012,
designed a pragmatic policy on ICT that is currently being
implemented in various jurisdictions within the country.

While imploring Judges across the federation to deploy ICT to
tackle increasing caseload in their dockets, stressing that “the
advantage of ICT is that it is less time consuming and will fast
track the administration of Justice in Nigeria”.

He described the theme of this year’s workshop, ‘Information
Technology as a catalyst for effective Justice Administration in
the 21% Century’, as apt and timely, noting that ICT has
“introduced some radical changes in the legal profession”.

He said: “The theme for this year’s workshop is apt and timely
as it could not have come at a better time. It is indeed in tune
with the reform initiatives currently being implemented in line
with global best practices with a view to making our justice system
more efficient.

“The rapid development of Information and Communication
Technology (ICT) has paved the way ahead to further improve
judicial administration.

“ICT has become an indispensable means of court management,
especially when taking into consideration the ever-increasing
caseload within the courts.

“Internet and computer programs possess a great potential for
assisting in problem-solving not only within our courts but also
when it comes to the creation of an information network or
connectivity between the courts.

“Increased awareness and knowledge at all levels of the
Judiciary on the importance of ICT are paramount; especially in the
era of COVID 19 which has changed the way a lot of things are done
in our world today.

“I am glad that the National Judicial Institute has taken
proactive steps in this direction by re-emphasizing the need and
importance of ICT in the Administration of Justice and making it an
essential part of all its programmes.

“I have no doubt that the advantage of using ICT is less
time-consuming and will fast track the administration of Justice in
Nigeria.

“My Lords, Distinguished participants, I make bold to say that
the Judiciary cannot resist the wind of change.

“Like every aspect of modern life, Information and Communication
Technology has introduced some radical changes in the legal
profession.

“You may wish to recall that the Judiciary in 2012 designed a
pragmatic policy on ICT, which is being implemented in various
jurisdictions within the country.

“My Lords, Distinguished Participants, as we are all aware, the
policy document on Information Technology was meant to be
implemented in the nation’s judiciary.

“With a view to ensuring that ICT is used to effectively support
the administration of justice in the nation’s judiciary; with the
vision to ensure a justice system that is simple, fast, efficient,
and effective.

“We look forward to new frontiers of this digital revolution, in
our courts where the entire Court system will be fully automated.
As this process will be full-scale e-filing of Court processes,
electronic recording of proceedings and e-judgments; e-rulings and
execution of judgments and rulings”, the CJN added.

In her welcome address, the Administrator of the National
Judicial Institute, NJI, Justice R. P. I. Bozimo, said the
efficiency with which cases are discharged in Judiciaries around
the world, established the need for the Judiciary in Nigeria to
take proactive steps.

“It is in recognition of the changing world and the critical
role which ICT plays in our world today that the Board under the
able Chairmanship of the CJN and Chairman of the Board of Governors
of the Institute directed that this workshop be organised to
enhance the capacity of Court Employees in your cadre who are
critical to the ICT regime that our courts are implementing”, she
added.

*Says judges must deploy ICT to tackle increasing caseload

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Ibrahim Muhammad, on
Monday, said the Judiciary would embark on a full-scale digital
revolution that would guarantee electronic filing of court
processes and virtual delivery of judgments.

The CJN, who spoke at the opening ceremony of a national
workshop for judiciary workers in the Information and Communication
Technology, ICT, department, said the Judiciary had in 2012,
designed a pragmatic policy on ICT that is currently being
implemented in various jurisdictions within the country.

While imploring Judges across the federation to deploy ICT to
tackle increasing caseload in their dockets, stressing that “the
advantage of ICT is that it is less time consuming and will fast
track the administration of Justice in Nigeria”.

He described the theme of this year’s workshop, ‘Information
Technology as a catalyst for effective Justice Administration in
the 21% Century’, as apt and timely, noting that ICT has
“introduced some radical changes in the legal profession”.

He said: “The theme for this year’s workshop is apt and timely
as it could not have come at a better time. It is indeed in tune
with the reform initiatives currently being implemented in line
with global best practices with a view to making our justice system
more efficient.

“The rapid development of Information and Communication
Technology (ICT) has paved the way ahead to further improve
judicial administration.

“ICT has become an indispensable means of court management,
especially when taking into consideration the ever-increasing
caseload within the courts.

“Internet and computer programs possess a great potential for
assisting in problem-solving not only within our courts but also
when it comes to the creation of an information network or
connectivity between the courts.

“Increased awareness and knowledge at all levels of the
Judiciary on the importance of ICT are paramount; especially in the
era of COVID 19 which has changed the way a lot of things are done
in our world today.

“I am glad that the National Judicial Institute has taken
proactive steps in this direction by re-emphasizing the need and
importance of ICT in the Administration of Justice and making it an
essential part of all its programmes.

“I have no doubt that the advantage of using ICT is less
time-consuming and will fast track the administration of Justice in
Nigeria.

“My Lords, Distinguished participants, I make bold to say that
the Judiciary cannot resist the wind of change.

“Like every aspect of modern life, Information and Communication
Technology has introduced some radical changes in the legal
profession.

“You may wish to recall that the Judiciary in 2012 designed a
pragmatic policy on ICT, which is being implemented in various
jurisdictions within the country.

“My Lords, Distinguished Participants, as we are all aware, the
policy document on Information Technology was meant to be
implemented in the nation’s judiciary.

“With a view to ensuring that ICT is used to effectively support
the administration of justice in the nation’s judiciary; with the
vision to ensure a justice system that is simple, fast, efficient,
and effective.

“We look forward to new frontiers of this digital revolution, in
our courts where the entire Court system will be fully automated.
As this process will be full-scale e-filing of Court processes,
electronic recording of proceedings and e-judgments; e-rulings and
execution of judgments and rulings”, the CJN added.

In her welcome address, the Administrator of the National
Judicial Institute, NJI, Justice R. P. I. Bozimo, said the
efficiency with which cases are discharged in Judiciaries around
the world, established the need for the Judiciary in Nigeria to
take proactive steps.

“It is in recognition of the changing world and the critical
role which ICT plays in our world today that the Board under the
able Chairmanship of the CJN and Chairman of the Board of Governors
of the Institute directed that this workshop be organised to
enhance the capacity of Court Employees in your cadre who are
critical to the ICT regime that our courts are implementing”, she
added.