Adoption of virtual court hearings and digitalisation of proceedings will fasttrack the dispensation of justice, legal experts have said.
They called for training of judges, lawyers and other judicial personnel on the use of technology, as well as investment in it.
This, they said, will also enhance the administration of justice, including prison decongestion.
They spoke at a two-day workshop for judicial workers on “Electronic Evidence and Imperative for Online Court Hearing” in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
Organised by Attorney General Alliance – Africa (AGA-Africa) in conjunction with the Ogun State Government, it had in attendance judges, court registers and lawyers.
Speakers included Justice Bonaventure Mbewe from Zambia, Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN), Justice Eniola Fabamwo of the Ogun State High Court, Justice Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye of the Kogi State High Court, amongst others.
Justice Mbewe believes Nigeria and Africa were ripe for the adoption of virtual court hearing.
He stressed the need for collaboration to share knowledge and experience on digitilisation of court proceedings.
He said: “Let us embrace the technologies; let us teach ourselves, because they are not going to go away.
“Virtual hearings are here to stay. The sooner we embrace them, the better the administration of justice will become.
“I encourage Nigeria to learn as much as you can from other jurisdictions.
“Virtual trial is a phenomenon everywhere. It is the way to go. It will speed hearings and eliminate unnecessary adjournments and face-to-face court processes.
“To go the virtual way in court proceedings is possible, but it is not something that can be done in a day. We can start small and then build on whatever we have.
“It is implementable, in my view within the next three to five years.
“We should all be there where we can say we are dispensing justice virtually.”
Chief Judge of Ogun State, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, said the COVID-19 pandemic forced many judges to adopt online court hearing.
She said: “In today’s world, modern technology such as electronic case management system, electronic data management system, e-filing, e- service, e-payment, case tracking systems are deployed to reduce backlog of cases and reduce the menace of delays.
“Ogun State Judiciary is also one of those that has embraced, developed and instituted some of these concepts.
“The Ogun State Judiciary E-registry, which comprises e-filing, e-payment, e-service, e-probate, is set.
“However, lawyers have not really keyed into electronic filing. I know the concept of change can be difficult but it must be embraced.
“IT Justice has come to stay. We, therefore, must prepare ourselves as judges and being the major key player in the justice delivery system, to work with the concept of e-justice towards a transparent and effective justice delivery system.
“The goal is to be better at what we do and we must not lose focus of that.”
Chief Idigbe noted that huge investment in technologies for the full adoption of virtual court hearings is needed.
He believes efforts must be put in place to reduce cyber security risks during virtual court proceedings.
A partner at Punuka Attorneys and Solicitors, Ebelechukwu Enedah, was of the view that virtual hearing will reduce the need to bring inmates to court.
She said: “If we are to adopt online court hearing, bail applications can be held virtually, so there will be no need to bring the suspects standing trials to court to take their plea.
“They can actually stay in the correctional facilities and with video conferencing, the judge is able to take their plea.
“If we adopt online court hearing, we will have a rapid decongestion of our prison facilities.”