By Jacinta Nwachukwu
A Justice of the Court of Appeal, Justice Eberechi Wike, says court digitisation will aid delivery of quick, efficient and transparent justice at all levels in Nigeria.
Justice Wike expressed the view on Wednesday in Abuja at Access to Justice Parley 2025, organised by Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC), a non-governmental organisation, created to increase citizens’ participation in governance.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the parley is themed, “Justice, Security and Governance: A Unified Agenda for Nigeria’s Sustainable Development”.
In a speech, Wike said that Nigeria judiciary, in spite of its rich traditions, often grappled with hurdles such as, manual processes and systemic blockages that slowed things down and sadly erode public trust.
The wife of the FCT Minister, stressed that digital innovation – from simple e-filing to powerful AI, smart judicial dashboards and open data projects – would completely transform how justice is delivered across Nigeria.
“Looking at successful reforms in places like Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Singapore and Brazil, we will see that embracing digital change is not just a niche, but a fundamental promise we owe to our constitution and our people,’’ she added.
She called on judges, lawyers, policy makers and tech innovators alike, to come together and reimagine how technology can shape or reshape the courts into institutions that are efficient, open and truly centred around the citizens.
“As a Justice of the Court of Appeal, I have seen first-hand, incredible power of technology.
“If it is used wisely, it can cut down delays, make record keeping a breeze and hold us all more accountable.
“Digital innovation is not here to replace the integrity of our judiciary; Rather, it is a powerful tool to strengthen and support it,’’ she said.
Speaking in the same vein, the Chief Executive Officer, DEVON Technologies Ltd., Mr Bemshima Peter, emphasised the importance of leveraging technology in the judiciary sector.
Peter said the company had installed technology devices in 29 courts across five states – Plateau, Adamawa, Gombe, Nasarawa and Kaduna – to address case management challenges.
He said that through the technology devices, about 500 cases which would have been delayed were resolved within a short period.
Peter, therefore, urged the judges and the governments to partner with the company to ensure that the technology devices get across to all strata of judiciary systems.
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of PPDC, Mrs Lucy Abagi, said advancing justice is everyone’s business – “not just the responsibility of courts and lawyers, but of every citizen, institution and leader’’-.
Highlighting on the theme of the parley, Abagi said that what the nation needed most was coherence and collaboration in justice delivery.
“We cannot talk about sustainable development without addressing the foundations of justice.
“We cannot also talk about peace and security without confronting injustice, exclusion and governance,’’ she said.
NAN reports that the parley was sponsored by Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi
