Federal High Court Judges have been warned to refrain from introduction and application of Zoom Technology or any other technology means “no matter how ingenious and expedient it may seem” to administer justice in the Federal High Court without explicit approval from the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria.
The above warning is contained in a circular issued by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Honourable Justice J.Tsoho who noted that such methods cannot be deployed without proper approval by the Chief Justice of Nigerian.
“the attention of the Honourable Chief Judge has been drawn to the sudden application of remote hearing by Zoom Technology or other variants to conduct proceedings in the Federal High Court.”
“All Judges must note that the Federal High Court is not Independent of the National Judicial Council which is considering a uniform approach in that regard.”
“Therefore all Judges of this court must abide strictly by the directives of the National Judicial Council under the Chairmanship of the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria in the circumstances”
Justice Tsoho noted that the NJC shall give appropriate directives before technological means are employed by Judges.
“The Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria through the National Judicial Council shall give directives as appropriate before such methods can be employed in the exercise of Judges’ judicial powers.”
