The Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Munta Abimbola, on Tuesday, made it known that lawyers in the state can now file cases before courts within the state from the comfort of their offices with the recently launched Case Management System while judges can also monitor cases in their courts from the confines of their offices.
He said that Information Communication Technology (ICT) would enhance administration of Justice generally and speed up conclusion of trials in courts.
He stated this during a 3-days training programme organised by the Nigeria Judicial Council (NJC) in partnership with citizens GAVEL, a human rights focused NGO for Oyo State Judiciary workers with the theme “Nigerian Case Management System and E-Filing Presentation” held at Afe Babalola Bar Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan, the State Capital.
Justice Abimbola said, in a statement signed by his press officer Olufunmilola Ige, that (ICT) training would assist the judicial officers to perform their duty optimally, most especially on Information Communication Technology system.
He appreciated National Judicial Council of Nigeria (NJC) and the Citizens GAVEL for choosing Oyo state as a pilot state in Nigeria, noting that, Oyo State is the first in the South-West.
According to the Chief Judge, “Information Technology is undoubtedly the way to store data, ICT will greatly enhanced the administration of Justice generally and speed up the conclusion of trials in our court”.
He added further that the State Judiciary would not let the justice delivery system down in the Pace Setter State, as the State Judiciary will continue to train its staff on ICT and Legal Mail.
Also speaking, the Chief Judge of Borno, Justice Kashim Zannah stated that the Nigeria Case Management System will lead the way for the country in the use of technology for the citizens, adding that the Oyo State judiciary got the benefit of a pilot state not because the Chief Judge is his friend but because he is a dogged, determined and persistent judge, adding that “I congratulate Oyo State Judiciary and commend the Chief Judge for being dogged in ensuring the benefit comes to the people of Oyo State.
“The system developed by the National Judicial Council is one of the best in the world. In fact, those who know it attests to the fact that it is the one that gives the most control to the judiciary. Already, seven countries that are not in Africa that were believed to have more advanced and functional systems have come to copy this because they realize that this one is more functional and effective.
“I urge Oyo people to be committed to the system because it makes justice delivery faster and less cumbersome. It will make people appreciate us and it will bring a lot of good to the judiciary and also benefit the entire populace,” he stated.
