Magistrates, senior lawyer, Funmi Quadri deplore Nigeria’s analogue judiciary system.
*Say analogue threat to rule of law, democracy,
The Magistrates in Abuja and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Mrs Funmi Quadri have said that Nigeria’s existing analogue judiciary is a threat to the rule of law and democracy and warmed that it must be discarded forthwith.
They warned that unless the archaic judiciary system is put to an end, attainment of quick dispensation of justice and best practices would continue to stare the country in the face.
The legal luminary on her part tchallenged 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.
Presenting a keynote address in Abuja at an interactive session organized by the Magistrates’ Association of Nigeria (MAN), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) branch put together to advance the use of information technology in courts for a better job, Mrs Quadri sought for a clear departure from the old system.
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 the 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 alone 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 challenged them to transform not only institutions but individuals towards the path of quick justice delivery.
As quick a way out, the technological savvy silk advocated the use of electronic filing of cases adding that in the present era, people do not need to be physically in court before they should file their cases.
She also canvassed for electronic assignment of cases rather than carrying bundles of case files from one court to another while consideration must also be given to electronic payments for case filling.
The senior lawyer recalled that the Supreme Court has in the wake of outbreak of covid-19 pandemic 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 adverse 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”
The Chairman of the Magistrates association in the FCT, Mr Musa Abdulrasaq Eneye in his own remarks 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.
“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” he said.