Legal experts and stakeholders gathered at the 2nd Regional Conference on Administration of Criminal Justice, held from October 21-23, 2024, to discuss the critical role of technology in modernising Nigeria’s criminal justice system. The conference, convened by the Juritrust Centre for Socio-Legal Research and Documentation brought together the criminal justice cohort funded by MacArthur Foundation.
During a panel session chaired by the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Development Services at the University of Lagos, Prof. Ayodele Atsenuwa, key findings were presented on the current state of case management in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) judiciary.
A Programme Officer with Law Hub Development and Advocacy Centre, Nsikak Effiong, presented research findings highlighting a growing disparity between the increasing number of criminal trials and the pace of justice delivery in the FCT. The study revealed that the current system operates on a hybrid model, with individual courts still relying on manual processes. At the same time, the Judicial Research Centre utilises basic IT tools such as Microsoft Excel.
“Our research uncovered significant inefficiencies in the current case management practices within the FCT High Court,” Effiong reported. “The findings clearly indicate a pressing need for technological advancement in our case management systems.”
The study aimed to identify key stages in criminal case management and evaluate current practices, concluded with several recommendations. Chief among these was implementing an integrated, centralised case management system. The researchers also emphasised the importance of enhanced collaboration among justice stakeholders to streamline criminal proceedings.
This conference is a significant step forward in the ongoing efforts to modernise Nigeria’s criminal justice system, with technology being recognised as a crucial tool for improving efficiency and access to justice. The recommendations presented are expected to inform future reforms in the FCT judiciary’s case management practices.
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