E- Path To Effective Justice Delivery: The Nigerian Courts In Perspective

The need to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the judicial system in Nigeria has necessitated the use of modern information and communication technology (ICT). The conventional method of justice delivery in Nigeria is marred with avoidable delays in the dispensation of justice and lack of transparency. However, the constraints of conventional methods of judicial system in Nigeria can only be solved by embracing the electronic justice system. Hence, ICT should be employed in conducting most of the activities in Nigerian Courts, considering its successful adoption and use in some other jurisdictions. This article therefore, aims at examining in extensio a way out from the conventional methods of justice delivery in the area of e-filing of court processes e.g. originating processes, Motions, addresses, briefs and other processes; e-recording of court proceedings; e-archives (to facilitate retrieval of judgments, rulings, etc); and e-probate etc. In doing so, the paper will focus on towing the path of electronic ways in enhancing effective justice delivery in the Nigerian Courts as an antidote to the delays being experienced in the service delivery associated with the conventional method. To achieve this, reliance has been placed on secondary source, emanating from books, case laws, articles in learned journals, conference papers and other relevant materials. This paper will enlighten Lawyers, Judges, Litigants and other stakeholders in the justice sector on the need to embrace E-justice delivery with the resultant effect of enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the judiciary as an arm of the government in Nigeria