By Adebisi Onanuga
Lagos State courts are now to hear cases through remote hearing effective today, the Chief Judge, Justice Kazeem Alogba, has said.
He said remote hearings shall be by Zoom, Skype for business or any other video communication method approved by the Court.
Justice Alogba said in Lagos that a new practice direction has also been issued to give effect to the new development.
It followed the directive issued by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Tanko Muhammad last week instructing heads of courts to device ways of hearing urgent matters without compromising social distance regulations.
Justice Alogba said the new practice direction was issued pursuant to the provisions of Section 6(6) and Section 274 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), Section 87(1) High Court Law of Lagos State 2015, Order 49 Rules 1, 2 and 3 High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019, Section 90(2) Lagos State Magistrates’ Court Law 2015, Section 354(1) Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State 2015 and any other enabling legislation,
He said the new Practice Direction will apply “to new cases where there is urgency and pending cases involving urgent and or time-bound interlocutory applications such as bail applications, fundamental human rights matters where the applicant is in custody, adoption of addresses, rulings and judgments or any other matter as the chief judge may approve.
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He said it also sets out the guidelines to be adopted in remote hearing, recognising the urgent need for the Judiciary to put in place measures to guarantee continued access to justice and expeditious disposal of cases while minimising the risk of transmission of COVID-19.
The Chief Judge said the objectives of the new practice direction is to ensure timely and efficient disposal of cases; use of suitable technology; just determination of the proceedings; and efficient use of available judicial and administrative resources.
He said the method by which remote hearings will be conducted shall be as directed by the Court in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), applicable Laws, Rules and this Practice Direction.
Towards this end, the chief judge urged parties and counsels to ensure that every court document filed electronically or at the Court Registry has the email address and mobile telephone number of the counsel or contact person where parties are not represented by counsel.
“The Registry will receive documents for filing electronically.All documents to be filed must be scanned or converted to an appropriate PDF format and forwarded to the Registry via designated email address or whatsapp. Where documents are filed by counsel, each process shall be signed and sealed by such counsel;
“Provided that where it is impracticable to file processes electronically, same may be filed at the Registry of the Court.”
He instructed the Chief Registrar to designate appropriate officials who shall assess the fees payable by parties and communicate same to them by email, whatsapp or text message while parties shall pay the assessed fees by electronic transfer into the bank account of the court.
“A copy of the electronic receipt issued shall be scanned for verification”, he said adding that the document shall be deemed to have been filed when the payment is verified by the Court.
He said the email address and contact telephone number of the Registry shall be made available on the Judicial Information System (JIS) and the Judiciary Website.
“ Notwithstanding the provisions of the High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019 and the Lagos State Magistrates’ Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2015, service of Court processes may be effected by email, whatsapp or as otherwise directed by the Court”, he said.
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