NBA AKURE RAISES ALARM OVER DILAPIDATED COURTS, E-FILING BURDEN IN ONDO
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By: Fasasi Hammad
The Nigeria Bar Association, Akure Branch, has raised concerns over inadequate courtroom facilities and other systemic challenges affecting the practice of law in Ondo State.
The branch also criticised the difficulties associated with electronic filing, noting that a system introduced to streamline court processes had instead created additional challenges for lawyers.
The branch chairman, Oju Kekemeke, raised the concerns in his inaugural address titled, “The Hour of Duty Has Clocked,” made available on Monday.
Kekemeke, who was inaugurated alongside other members of the new executive on Saturday in Akure, said lawyers in the state were operating in a difficult environment due to persistent infrastructural and systemic challenges.
“As practitioners of the law, our practice environment in Akure and Ondo State in general is challenged, both in its systemic and infrastructural compositions. We have embraced electronic filing, but it has created unnecessary burdens. At this age, technology should speed up processes and not delay processes,” he said.
The NBA chairman said the branch would pursue reforms in electronic filing, case assignment, case management and other processes connected to the Court Management Information System.
He also called for the introduction of electronic recording of court proceedings, arguing that the measure would ease the workload on judges who currently record proceedings manually.
Kekemeke commended the Ondo State Government for its intervention in the construction of a new High Court complex but urged the judiciary to also address the deteriorating condition of existing courtrooms.
“The dilapidated courtroom facilities do not represent our honour, dignity and nobility,” he said.
He linked the challenges to the broader issue of financial autonomy for the judiciary, pledging that the branch would continue to support and monitor its implementation by the executive and judicial arms of government in the state.
Kekemeke further identified delays in processing Certificates of Occupancy and perfecting title documents, alleged exploitative practices at court and police registries, as well as the implementation of the lawyers’ remuneration order as other issues requiring urgent attention.
He pledged to engage relevant stakeholders in finding solutions to the challenges confronting legal practitioners in the state.
On members’ welfare, the NBA Akure chairman said the new administration would establish sustainable structures to improve the wellbeing of lawyers and strengthen the NBA Akure Cooperative Society.
He said the full implementation of the branch’s welfare scheme and the restructuring of its cooperative society would remain central to the welfare support system during his two-year tenure.
Other members of the new executive are Abidoye John, Vice Chairman; Oluwanike Omotayo, Secretary; Maria Akinrata-Bolorunduro, Treasurer; Charles Gilbert-Ojo, Publicity Secretary; Grace Oguntoyinbo-Suluka, Financial Secretary; Adebola Adegoroye, Welfare Secretary; J.D. Akeredolu, Assistant Secretary; Ojimba Michael, Social Secretary; and Omolayo Akintan, Provost.
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