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A Non-Governmental Organization called Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) said it has equipped 33 courts with digital technology innovations in six states in the country with virtual hearing systems, e-filing systems, and evidence management for effective delivery of justice system in Nigeria.
The States in the first and second phases includes Kaduna, Nasarawa, and Plateau, Ebonyi, FCT and Oyo.
The Chief Executive Officer, Lucy James Abagi disclosed this at the 2024 Access to Justice Parley in Abuja.
She said the action was aimed to ensure that Nigerians have access to justice. The center also added that the figure represents only a small fraction of the over 1,000 courts nationwide, including various divisions and magistrate/customary courts. adding that it would remain dedicated to scaling the initiative to transform justice delivery in Nigeria.
Abagi enunciated that inadequate evidence-handling practices and absence of proper storage facilities undermines investigations and wrongful acquittals.
He attributed the rots and systemic delay in the dispensation and access to justice to lack of capacity, digital equipments and inadequate funding and budgetary allocation by the Nigerian government.
She said the centre is currently providing legal representation to 2,473 detainees who have languishing in various correctional centres.
According to Abagi “The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) is committed to advancing the digitization of courts systems in Nigeria, and by extension, across Africa. Our mission is to reduce the number of pretrial detainees by at least 50% within the next decade.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria who was represented by the Chief Judge of Plateau, Justice David G Mann said the forum was a reflection of determination to confront the challenges impeding the administration of justice system Head on and proffer solutions.
The Keynote Speaker , Chris Umar SAN said despite numerous efforts to improve on the administration of the justice system the challenges remain ; the persistent delay in court proceedings, case congestion, and limited access to legal representation which has continue to erode public confidence in the judiciary.
According to him “ Access to justice in Nigeria is unevenly distributed, with rural and marginalized communities experiencing significant barriers.
CHEST CAPTION
1. LUCY JAMES
CEO, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT CENTRE
2. CHRIS UMAR
SENIOR ADVOCATE OF NIGERIA
3. AHMED WADAYA
SSA TO THE PRESIDENT, OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
Source: Swifteradio.com
