Hon. Justice Nelson Ogbuanya of the National Industrial Court on Monday 29th July 2024, moderated the session on “Digital Courtroom: Managing Remote Access and Video links for Victims and Witnesses in Judicial Proceedings”, at the ongoing Hybrid National Workshop on Legal Research and Information & Communication Technology (ICT) for Legal and Research Assistants, Registrars and ICT officers of the Judiciary holding from 29th -31st July 2024, at the National Judicial Institute (NJI) Abuja.
In his Keynote Address, while declaring open the event, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, His Lordship Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON, FNJI, pointed that the theme of the Workshop: “Enhancing Effective Justice Delivery Through ICT”, reflects the commitment of the Judiciary to embracing technological innovations in modernizing and reforming the administration of justice in Nigeria, and there is need not to view technology as a threat to the existing structure but rather as a powerful ally in our pursuit of justice.
In his Welcome Address, the Administrator of the National Judicial Institute, Hon. Justice Salisu Abdullahi, emphasized the importance of exploring the impact of ICT on justice administration in view of the primary responsibility of Legal Research Assistants, which is the provision of quality research work and application of excellent analytical and writing skills, making informed utilization of ICT tools indispensable.
In his remarks, the Moderator of the Session, Hon Justice Nelson Ogbuanya, stated that leveraging technology for effective justice delivery in modern times in form of adopting Digital Courtroom and operating in hybrid system, has no legal challenge, as even the Constitution never envisaged exclusion of other non-physical spaces, such as digital platforms, as not being part of a Courtroom. He explained that digital courtroom aims to improve the effectiveness of the internal courtroom management by integrating remote proceedings via digital platforms, and urged the participants to be more proactive with the use of ICT tools for the advancement of justice in their respective domains.
The resource person, Mr. FolorunsoAgbeja, who is the Assistant Director IT Unit of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, while showcasing the operation of ICT in the digital courtroom, explained that the digital age has revolutionized the way society communicates and conducts business and the judiciary is not exempted.
The IT expert further stated that the use of technology in the courtroom must align with the rules and principles guiding judicial proceedings, and advised that with the appropriate use of remote access tools in courtrooms, there will be greater efficiency, cost savings, quick dispensation of justice, and access to justice for vulnerable victims and witnesses in judicial proceedings.
The Participants cut across Legal and Research Assistants, Registrars and ICT Officers from Federal and State Courts nationwide.