Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Justice in collaboration with the UNDP Nigeria and the government of Japan has launched the virtual court programme in correctional centers across Nigeria, with the Kuje Correctional Center, as the pilot location.
According to Nigerian government officials, the programme will allow courts to hear cases without transporting inmates to physical locations and reduce the backlog and time spent in pre-trial detention, while also helping to reduce administration and operational costs
Local media reports on Tuesday said that Nigeria’s Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola; representative of the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, amongst others attended the event held in Abuja on Monday.
It will be recalled that the Supreme Court of Nigeria had in a verdict on July 14, 2020, affirmed virtual proceedings, following limitations caused by the pandemic.
The country’s Ministry of Justice has therefore encouraged courts and correctional centers to establish virtual court sittings to address the backlog of cases.
GIK/APA