Digital Economy: Nigeria set to activate virtual court sitting facilities ─Minister

*Abubakar Malami, SAN, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, has disclosed all is set to launch the pilot nationwide deployment and use of Virtual Court Proceedings in Correctional Centres in the West African country

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

In line with the digital transformation policy frameworks of the Federal Government, Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy and associated agencies, including the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for socio-economic transformation, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, has disclosed all is set to launch the pilot nationwide deployment and use of Virtual Court Proceedings in Correctional Centres in Nigeria.

ConsumerConnect reports Dr. Umar Gwandu, Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations to the Minister, said this in a statement issued Friday, December 3, 2021, in Abuja, FCT.

Malami stated that the pilot project facilities, which promise to transform service delivery in the country’s criminal justice system, would commence with the Kuje Correctional Centre Monday, December 6, in Abuja.

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Dr. Gwandu noted: “Expected at the occasion are the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Halilu Nababa, as well as members of the Presidential Committee on Correctional Reforms and Decongestion.

“The Secretary of the Presidential Committee on Correctional Reforms and Decongestion, Leticia Ayoola-Daniels, working with the representative of the supporting organisation, Mrs. Oyinye Ndubuisi of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), are working assiduously to ensure achievement of the laudable project.”

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The statement also said: “The initiative is one of the strategic interventions by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and indeed, the Federal Government towards engendering lasting reforms in the Criminal Justice Sector in Nigeria.”

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The Ministry of Justice in collaboration with the Presidential Committee on Correctional Reforms and Decongestion is expediting engagement with the Nigerian Correctional Centres to make it possible for evidence of suspects in custody to be taken without their physical presence in court to avoid disruptions, said the Minister.

He stated: “The development is part of the process to implement the Post-COVID-19 Justice Sector Plan, marshalled out by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation in April 2020.”