NAN-H-87
Judiciary
By Sandra Umeh
Lagos, Dec. 21, 2016 (NAN) Some lawyers in Lagos have stressed the need for the Nigerian Criminal Justice System to be versatile in Information Communication Technology (ICT), in a bid to enhance speedy disposal of cases.
The lawyers told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in separate interviews that it was instructive for the Judiciary to be ICT compliant in order to foster justice delivery.
In an interview with NAN, the Crusader of MAEF Foundation for the Indigent Prisoners, Chief Anthony Makolo, stressed the need for a modernisation and automation of courtrooms, so as to enhance justice delivery.
He said, “We expect that the ongoing efforts to cleanse the Judiciary of corrupt judges would be continued.
“There should also be the modernisation and automation of courtroom appliances so as to enhance court proceedings, ” he said.
According to him, there should be a more robust interaction between the bench and bar, adding that more emphasis should be placed on timeliness in justice delivery.
A Lawyer and Social Critic, Mr Spurgeon Ataene, underscored the need for the Judiciary to be more vibrant in justice delivery, adding that ICT would facilitate the smooth operation of the system.
“The world is going digital and our Judiciary should not be left out; if we employ adequate use of ICT facilities in the various courts, cases would be handled better and justice speedily dispensed,” he said
Ataene commended the Lagos State Government for the introduction of Electronic filing of cases, adding that same should be replicated in other states.
He also urged the Judiciary to be more courageous and encourage policies, which would stabilise the polity.
Another Lagos based lawyer, Mr Ogedi Ogu, also stressed the need for a speedy disposal of cases, adding that ICT would help enhance the process.
He underscored the need for a fearless Judiciary, which adhered strictly to the rule of law.
According to him, the Judiciary must seek to have the confidence of the public restored, by eliminating all forms of corruption and rot in the system.
He urged the Judiciary to always ensure a quick dispensation of justice, which he said should be devoid of extraneous interference. (NAN)
UNS/AJA
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(Edited by Adeleye Ajayi)