Imo Courts To Be Digitized –Uzodimma

By ThankGod Emeh…

The Imo state Governor Senator Hope Uzodimma has reiterated his administration’s resolve to ensure a Digitized effective and speedy justice delivery system in the state.

Governor Uzodinma made this known at the Imo Justice Summit held at the Sam Mbakwe Hall, Concorde Hotels, Owerri recently.

The occasion which had prominent learned gentlemen in attendance including Judges, Lordships, SANs among nemerous others featured lectures, keynote address, remarks and panel discussion that all anchored on the theme of the Summit; “Towards an effective Justice Delivery system in Imo state”

Flagging off the ceremony, the state Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma said he was impressed at the Theme of the Summit, noting that the event was timely towards building and restoring Confidence of the people on the judiciary in line with his vision and support for the State Judiciary to become one of the best in Nigeria.

Governor Uzodinma recalled that the first bill he signed into law was the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, stresing that nothing would be better to accelerate quick and speedy dispensation of Justice other than what is contained in the Criminal Justice Act.

The Governor encouraged lawyers to continue to propagate justice in the state while assuring them of his words administration’s commitment to work in synergy with the Judiciary for the greater good of Imolites.

He equally assured them of continued payment of salaries and other benefits as and when due.

Addressing the people at Summit, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Imo state, Chief Sir C.O.C. Akaolisa emphasized that justice delivery in the state would be highly improved after the Summit as the judiciary Stakeholders are being advised to take up modern and global best practices in the profession.

The AG commended the guest Lecturers for delivering very well on the topic of the summit, adding that a communique on the suggestions and solutions of the day’s deliberations would be issued to all the stakeholders in the justice sector of the state.

Chief Akaolisa noted that all the improvements and innovations raised are needed in order to have a documented action plan to change the narrative as another legal year approaches, while noting that there should be radical change in the current system of administering justice as to join the global trend and network in the profession.

“With this Summit ending the year and beginning a new legal year; you will be sure that next year is justice delivery all the way for Imo state because a lot of innovations will come into place”

He said that “The old order must give way for a new digitalized and people-oriented system that will advance the course of justice”, saying that “radical change is imperative as far as justice delivery is concerned, while quoting the United Nations new guideline for justice delivery.

According to the Attorney general’s address; the Justice needs of Imo as well as the Justice Transformation in Imo are captured in the pathways of “Establishment of Functional Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism”, Digitization including Virtual Hearing”, and “Justice Awareness Progrramme”.

Other items in the new designed roadmap towards proper and fulfilling justice delivery in the state are:

1. Community Justice Centre to serve as a functional Alternative Dispute Resolution structure for people centred justice delivery.
2. Digitization of the Court system including Virtual Hearing and introductio of a Technology Case management system for case tracking.
3. Construction of a new Ministry of Justice building which has a budgetary provision in the 2022 budget.
4. Proper Remuneration for law officers and Judicial Officers.
5. Innovation of Department of Public Prosecution outstations.

In her address, the Chief Judge of Imo state, Hon. Justice Theresa Chukwuemeka-Chikeka said the theme of the summit is very germane and apt to help jettison all conventional method of Justice Delivery which are not only cumbersome, time consuming and gradually becoming obsolete considering the changing times and evolution of Information Technology.

Justice Chukwuemeka-Chikeka thanked the Attorney General for organizing the event while charging all players in the temple of Justice not to be left out even if they are not at the forefront of the movement for Change, noting that “Embracing ICT in our Justice Delivery System is a Sin qua non for effective Justice Delivery in the changing world of today” hence they ought to move with the tide to avoid lagging behind.

The CJ added that the essence of justice is to achieve it swiftly and surely as “delay can be fatal and morally dangerous” and as well “justice delayed is justice denied”

Delivering a Keynote address, Sir J.T.U Nnodum SAN said the Justice Summit offered an opportunity to review the state of justice delivery in Imo state, the strength and weaknesses so as to work towards a more effective justice delivery system.

Sir Nnodum who dwelt on “Contributions to Justice Delivery”, “Constituents of Justice Delivery System” as well as the general welfare of Judicial Officers among others charged all the justice sector Stakeholders to discharge their duties professionally while calling on the government to fully provide adequate facility, good working environment, manpower and funds needed for all round adjustments and upgrade in the the justice delivery system of the state.

“The welfare of Judicial officers in Nigeria has been a topical issue for some time. ‘Welfare’ in this context transcends salaries and wages. It pertains also to office accommodation, office equipment, personal staff, vehicles and other needs. By doing of section 81(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, some aspects fall within the purview of the Federal Government while the remainder, having regard to section 12(3) of the Constitution, should be the concern of the states”

“The law Officer deserves a living wage, he deserves good means of transport, he deserves affordable accommodation, he deserves security of tenure, he should not be compared to the other civil servants, his work is critical to the maintenance of law and other and good governance in the state. He is a professional”

He added that despite the weaknesses afflicting justice delivery system in the state, it is undeniable that the state has produced some of the finest Judicial Officers in Nigeria, noting that “the standard of legal practice at the Bar is Second to none as attested to by legal practitioners and Judicial Officers from within and outside the jurisdiction”.