AGF SEEKS ENHANCED DEPLOYMENT OF TECHNOLOGY FOR COURT OPERATIONS
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The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) has advocated the need for enhanced deployment of technology for court operations to improve the pace of justice delivery.
“I wish to draw your attention to the need for us to embrace the use of technology in the day-to-day administration of justice.
“The need to incorporate efficient use of technology into processes, systems and procedures for the advancement of the administration of criminal justice cannot be overemphasized,” Fagbemi said.
He spoke in Abuja on Tuesday at the opening session of a three-day review and validation session of the National Minimum Standards (NMS) Document and the inauguration of the National Working Committee for the Implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 and Administration of Criminal Justice Laws (ACJLs) across our states.
Fagbemi, represented by the Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba identified some other challenges hindering effective justice delivery in the country.
He noted that “another critical area that deserves attention is the issue of the availability of accessible data in our criminal justice system.
“Under the ACJA/ACJLs, provisions have been made for the collection of data, periodic reporting of data to the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (ACJMC) and Attorneys General. However, this has been poorly implemented.
“It is clear that we cannot have an effective criminal justice system without accurate data which will drive planning and aid administration of Justice,” he said.
Fagbemi tasked members of the National Working Committee, which was inaugurated on Tuesday to work very hard to ensure that the terms of reference of their engagement are actualized, particularly to address pertinent issues militating against harmonized implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act as well as issues that affect the rights of individuals, such as the issue of persistent congestion of correctional centres in Nigeria.
He added: “With concerted efforts of stakeholders, it is my hope that members will be able to deliberate and come up with pragmatic and innovative solutions to address these problems.”
The Director, Administration of Criminal Justice and Reforms at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Leticia Ayoola-Daniels noted that despite the enactment of the ACJA by both the Federal and state governments, the criminal justice system still suffers some challenges.
Mrs. Ayoola-Daniels noted that the challenges experienced by the states and the Federal Government’s remain the same, which includes court congestion , unavailability of data, delayed trials and a lack of uniformity in criminal justice processes.
She added: “This is why we are gathered here today, to finalize a document that will not only serve as a standard template across jurisdictions but also drive uniformity and efficiency in the implementation of these laws.
“This initiative stemmed from the growing need for a unified framework that would address the persistent gaps in the implementation of the ACJA and ACJLs across the country.”
She explained that the National Working Committee “will play a crucial role in ensuring that these standards are adhered to, that best practices are shared, and that progress is continuously monitored and reviewed tot meet the objectives of the establishment of the Nation!Yal Minimum Standards.”
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