The Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, has established two channels for communication with litigants, lawyers and other people or groups doing business with the state judiciary.
The platforms include dedicated SMS and WhatsApp channel for members of the public to send complaints and suggestions directly to the Chief Judge of the state.
In a public notice tagged “For a Better Edo State Judiciary”, the Chief Judge urged the public to send direct messages to him through the following number 09061965678 in any of the following situations:
- Court not sitting
- Staff not on sit
- Demand for money not covered by government treasury receipt
- Delay in obtaining judgments, orders and certified true copies of court processes
- Delay in compiling records of appeal
- Non service of court processes
- Demand for money for bail or to perfect bail conditioins
- Touting within the court premises
- Any other just complaints
- Suggestions
These direct feedback mechanisms for court users to hold judicial staff and officials accountable, could be viewed as revolutionary and a potential game changer in cleaning up the judicial system if properly implemented by all those concerned.