Information Technology and Justice Delivery in Nigeria (original) (raw)
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2021
The advancements in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) have activated a global development in all the sectors of the world. Unfortunately, the Nigerian judiciary have not fully adopted the use of ICT in its administration of justice. The problem either stems from the non-existing comprehensive legal and institutional framework permitting the use of ICT, to the partial/non-application of electronics and modern information and communications technologies in our judicial institutions. Another great problem arises from the admissibility/inadmissibility of electronically generated evidence, and the lack of proof of its authenticity. The greatest of which is the fact that the INEC card reader is not admissible even as against the mischief it was meant to suppress. The consequences of all are loss of case files, delay in our justice system, caused by manual filing process; high volume of court records etc. The consequences of the inadmissibility of electronic card reader and other electronic evidence are the continuous strive of (electoral) irregularity and corruption. The aim of this work is to briefly highlight the state of the legal and institutional framework for the use of ICT in the Nigerian justice administration, viz-a-viz the admissibility of all electronic evidence with emphases on the electronic card reader machine. The methodology adopted in the work is doctrinal. This work therefore made a fundamental recommendation for a full capacity launching of the use of ICT in the administration of justice in Nigeria. This work in appraising the admissibility of all electronic evidence, made a case for the review of electoral laws to render the INEC card readers admissible. The work also made a case for a review of all the ICT enabling laws and for the strengthening of court institutions towards achieving a transition to into e-justice system in Nigeria.
International Journal for Court Administration
The 2015 Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) has set Nigeria on the path of adopting a more technology-driven criminal justice administration. Prior to its enactment after several years of consideration, there had been only episodic use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) facilities in criminal proceedings. This paper examines Nigeria's Criminal Justice Administration (CJA) in light of the ACJA's innovative provisions with a view to furthering the application of ICT facilities. It is hoped that ICT might be integrated throughout the CJA as it currently operates in Nigeria so as to promote the effective and efficient automated administration of criminal justice. In the new era of social distancing given the COVID-19 pandemic, such reform is submitted to be imperative.
The Information and Communications Technology (ICT) has assumed a distinctly relevant role in enhancing the legal education, legal practice and justice administration in courts all over the globe. Whereas retrieval and dissemination of information is highly essential to all facets of human endeavor, it is perhaps even more relevant to the legal professional. Today it is a significant dent on a lawyer's efficiency if he cannot make use of basic information technology, hence the need to incorporate the use of ICT in the lawyer's academic and vocational training. However some factors have continued to hamper ICT use in the legal system. Most of these factors are related to the poor economic and infrastructural situation of the country but certainly not limited thereto. This paper will examine the need to inculcate ICT into the Nigerian legal system with a view to reengineering the legal education and practice. It explores the challenges and prospects for integration of ICT into...
Ict-Enabled Applications for Decision-Making by the Courts: Experiences from Malaysia and Nigeria
International Journal of Law, Government and Communication, 2021
In this era of internet-of-things whereby the ICT, internet, and other associated gadgets and technologies are tremendously affecting our lives, there is no gainsaying that these ‘disruptive’ technologies have contributed greatly to improve the pace of justice delivery all over the world. With the recent outbreak of COVID-19 all over the world, technological adoption has enhanced further. Within the context of the courts, many countries have embraced the use of ICT and the internet in their justice delivery system consequent upon which thousands of mobile phone applications and computer hardware and software are being developed. Court Rules were amended to provide for these changes and further institutionalise these changes. This conceptual paper provides insights and experiences on how ICT-enabled applications impact the decision-making processes by the courts in Malaysia and Nigeria. Hopefully, the paper would contribute to the body of knowledge on ICT adoption studies in general,...
The Role of Technology in the Advancement of Legal Education and Practice in Nigeria
The legal profession is known for its conservatism and traditionalism which many believe must be preserved in order to maintain the prestige of the profession. However, technological advancement may have put a strain on this ideology. The wave of technological advancement and globalization which has swept through various aspects of the society has not left the profession in its path. Technology including Information Communication Technology (ICT) now plays a quintessential role in legal practice and education. It is becoming increasingly clear in Nigeria as well as a reality that technology is a prerequisite for an effective and efficient legal education and practice. This paper examines the important role technology plays in legal education and practice in the 21st century. Focus is placed on how much technology has impacted legal education and practice in Nigeria. The challenges faced in the application of technology in these areas are quite colossal. Despite this, it is important for the legal profession to forge ahead in overcoming these challenges as the application of technology is not only the global trend but also the way forward
Information Impact, 2018
Electronic information resources as a product of technological development plays a vital role in providing a veritable platform for networking among legal practitioners as well as guarantee timely access to legal information. This study examined the role played by digital/electronic resources in legal profession taking Oyo state as a case study. Descriptive survey design was used for the study and questionnaire as a research instrument was administered to judges, lawyers and law library personnel. The studies found that majority of respondents were aware of the available electronic resources essential to legal practice and research. Though, some of the online legal information resources were not available, email discussion list and online journal were the most used. It was observed that most court libraries are still operating manually as e-legal resources like law reference materials, laws of other countries, human right needs, law reports, judged cases and court proceedings were poorly accessible. However, findings indicate that the use of electronic legal information resources leads to faster and timely execution of cases and also provide platform for comparative jurisprudence.
Virtual Court Proceedings in Nigeria: Some Legal Matters Arising
European journal of law and political science, 2024
The outbreak of COVID-19 brought about the hitherto uncommon practice of e-filing as well as the practice of virtual court proceedings in the Nigerian Judiciary in a bid to dispense with extremely urgent, essential, or time-bound matters. The Lagos State High Court had its first virtual or remote court hearing on May 4, 2020, where a driver, Olalekan Hameed, was tried, convicted, and sentenced for the murder of 76-year-old Mrs Jolasun Okunsanya virtually. In the wake of these developments, there have been legal debates on the constitutionality or otherwise of virtual hearings. This Article examines the debates on the constitutionality or otherwise of the Nigerian courts' adoption of virtual court proceedings. The paper concludes that though utilizing the development brought by ICT, the internet, and associated technologies, virtual court proceedings, and e-filing are practicable and desirable, a lot needs to be done in terms of building the capacity of the Judiciary, amending the rules of court, the RPC, reviewing the curriculum of Nigerian Law School and in mandatory training of lawyers on the use of ICT in legal practice.