In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many technological measures were introduced to maintain the functionality of various systems amidst lockdowns and restrictions. However, as the pandemic’s impact has lessened, the judiciary in Nigeria seems to have reverted to its traditional methods, neglecting the technological advancements that could address ongoing challenges in the criminal justice system.
Legal experts are calling for the judiciary to embrace technology to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. Mr. Bayo Akinlade, the Convener of the Fight Against Corruption in the Judiciary and former NBA chairman of the Ikorodu branch, has emphasized the need for the judiciary to bridge technological gaps to improve the criminal justice system.
Akinlade criticized the judiciary for its reluctance to adopt technological solutions, stating that the system’s inefficiencies are exacerbated by outdated practices. He highlighted that a court case that currently takes about 7 hours could be completed in less than 2 hours with the right technology.
“Have you seen an Executive Council meeting where the president or governor says, ‘Wait a minute, let me write this down’? They all have recorders and others taking the notes. The judiciary now has judicial assistants and other clerical staff but prefers to sit for 7 hours to hear 10 to 20 cases per day,” Akinlade remarked.
He further questioned the judiciary’s resistance to using recorders, videos, and stenographers, suggesting a lack of trust and understanding of modern technology. “Many of our judges, at all levels of courts, are from the technology era but act as if NIPOST was all we had and NITEL was the king of communications,” he added.
Akinlade argued that the current practice of writing in longhand is inefficient and prone to errors, creating a loophole for corruption and compromising justice. He called for a return to advocating for technology in courts to curb corruption and judicial inefficiency.
“COVID-19 took us by surprise, but we handled it using technology. Why is it now difficult to advance? We must embrace technology wholeheartedly,” he urged.
Akinlade also highlighted the benefits of the e-filing payment system, which has reduced the need for bribes, and called for more transparency and accessibility in judicial processes. “The judiciary can use up-to-date and effective technologies. Court processes should be equally efficient,” he noted.
Meanwhile, Mr. Kabir Akingbolu, a lawyer and rights activist, emphasized the need for increased government funding to support technological advancements in the judiciary. He pointed out that the practice of longhand writing hinders progress and delays justice.
“It is only in Lagos that you see a bit of technology in place, with verbatim recorders allowing judges to avoid writing in longhand,” Akingbolu said. He noted that virtual hearings, a positive development during the pandemic, are not widely implemented outside Lagos.
Akingbolu called for increased budgetary allocations and proper training for judges on modern technology use. He stressed the importance of reducing judges’ workloads to improve efficiency, suggesting that Lagos needs four times the current number of judges to handle cases effectively.
“Technology can also be used to monitor how cases are handled by judges, ensuring they sit when they are supposed to. A technologically driven system would make this more efficient,” he concluded.
The call for technological integration in the judiciary is a step toward addressing the systemic issues plaguing Nigeria’s criminal justice system, with experts urging the government and judiciary to prioritize innovation and modernization.
