Group Tasks NASS On Virtual Court Proceedings Bill

Cleen Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has appealed to the National Assembly to pass the bill on Virtual Court Proceeding in order to fast track and strengthen the Administration of the Criminal Justice System.
The Executive Director of the foundation Mr Benson Olugbuo said this yesterday at the sixth Virtual National Working Group Meeting on Promoting Transparency and Accountability in the Criminal Justice System in Nigeria.
Olugbuo said that in response to the current global pandemic, virtual court proceedings had become paramount for speedy and effective administration of justice.
“The focus of this meeting is centred on gaining broader and useful insights on the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.
“Also, for effective strategising for the implementation of the ACJA with a basis for promoting anti-corruption through adapting contemporary technology based litigation.
“Courts around the world are now adapting to finding remote or alternatives to traditional court hearings to ensure ongoing access to justice.
“Courts in China are in the front line and are encouraging digitisation to streamline case-handling within sprawling court system using cyberspace and technologies like blockchain and cloud computing,’’ he said.
Olugbuo said that millions of legal cases were now being decided by internet courts that do not require citizens to appear in court.
He said that the use of technology in the administration of justice was now an inevitable trend as the current pandemic significantly pushed for the digitalisation.
He urged Civil Society Organisations, stakeholders and government agencies not to relent in seeking effective justice delivery within the criminal justice sector.
Olugbuo urged all critical stakeholders to be prepared for the speedy, inexpensive and efficient evolution within the justice system.