As the Nigerian judiciary enters a new legal year, lawyers are advocating for far-reaching reforms to improve the administration of justice. They are calling for tougher sanctions for dilatory conduct, punctual sitting by judges, digitalisation of court processes, and stronger safeguards for judicial independence. These reforms aim to address the persistent challenges hindering effective justice delivery in the country. Lawyers argue that the judiciary must move beyond general commitments to speedy justice and introduce practical systems that make delay difficult, measurable, and costly.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Babatunde, emphasized that judges must take full control of their courts and use available powers to discourage conduct that unnecessarily prolongs cases. He urged judges to make dilatory conduct costly by awarding appropriate costs against those who engage in tactics capable of delaying proceedings. Dr. Babatunde also advocated for a scheduling system, where lawyers are given specific times for their cases and compelled to keep within the allotted time. This, he believes, will help reduce delays and improve the efficiency of the justice system.
Other lawyers, including Barrister Femi Aborisade, echoed Dr. Babatunde's sentiments, calling for greater digitalisation of court processes. Aborisade advocated for electronic filing of processes, electronic recording of proceedings, and freedom of the media to provide live coverage of court proceedings. He believes that these measures will promote transparency and accountability within the justice system. Aborisade also proposed electronic assignment of cases to judges and courts, increased appointment of judges, and case-management schedules that ensure cases are heard and determined within predetermined time frames.
Abdulqadir Alhaji Sani, Acting President of the Nigerian Law Society, identified delay as the central challenge facing the judiciary. He emphasized that cases must be allowed to move "without hitches," warning that prolonged trials erode public confidence in the judiciary. Sani called for a new legal year in which cases flow without unnecessary interruptions and justice is administered without fear or favour. He also urged federal and state governments to provide modern technological tools to support judges and accelerate proceedings.
Sani criticised the continued reliance by some judges on longhand recording of proceedings, describing the practice as outdated. He argued that Nigeria has the capacity to develop digital courts where judges would have access to appropriate gadgets and technological support to record proceedings more efficiently. Sani also stressed the importance of judicial independence, calling on the judiciary to maintain an appropriate distance from the executive arm of government and avoid relationships capable of creating the perception that judicial decisions could be influenced by those in power.
Olajide Abiodun, Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ikorodu Branch, identified the persistent backlog of cases as the single biggest problem the judiciary must urgently address. Abiodun noted that the backlog is not merely an administrative inconvenience but a threat to the rule of law and public confidence in the justice system. He advocated for rigorous enforcement of time-bound case-management directions, supported by a functional electronic case-management system, and urged judges to be empowered to refuse frivolous adjournments and dispose of interlocutory applications promptly.
The success of the new legal year will be measured by the extent to which these reforms are implemented and the impact they have on the justice system. Lawyers believe that with the implementation of these reforms, the judiciary can regain the public's trust and demonstrate that justice can be administered fairly and efficiently. The new legal year presents an opportunity for the judiciary to address its challenges and provide a more efficient and effective justice system for Nigerians.
Key points
- Lawyers are calling for tougher sanctions for dilatory conduct and digitalisation of court processes to improve the administration of justice.
- The judiciary is urged to maintain judicial independence and avoid relationships that could create the perception that judicial decisions are influenced by those in power.
- The implementation of reforms aims to address the persistent backlog of cases and improve public confidence in the justice system.
