Oyo moves to cut litigation costs with digitalised court facilities

The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) has unveiled digitalised court facilities at the Oyo State High Court, Ogbomoso Division, in a move aimed at reducing litigation costs, easing logistical challenges and improving justice delivery.

The facilities are expected to enable virtual proceedings in appropriate cases, especially those involving inmates in correctional centres, thereby reducing the need to transport them physically to court.

The initiative, which attracted representatives of the judiciary, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Nigerian Correctional Service, civil society organisations and other stakeholders, is also expected to facilitate faster and more efficient court proceedings.

Speaking at the unveiling, the representative of the Chief Registrar of the Oyo State High Court described the intervention as a welcome development that would promote the smooth conduct of cases and enhance the administration of justice.

In his welcome address, Mr. Oludayo Bamgbose, who represented PPDC’s Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Lucy James-Abagi, said the organisation was established more than two decades ago to promote public participation, accountability and effective public service delivery.

She described the unveiling as a landmark achievement, noting that it was the first time PPDC would be extending the project beyond the state capital to another judicial division.

James-Abagi disclosed that the initiative would be extended to Court 2 in Ogbomoso when additional funding became available.

She explained that the digital facilities would allow some court proceedings involving inmates to take place virtually without transporting them from correctional centres to the court premises.

According to her, the arrangement would reduce the financial burden and address logistical and security challenges associated with moving inmates for court appearances.

She lauded Mr. Seun Abimbola, SAN, Managing Partner of Prime Solicitors, for supporting the project, describing the partnership between the non-governmental organisation and the organised private sector as a model worthy of emulation.

In their separate remarks, Justices G.A. Sunmonu and F.B. Segun-Olakojo commended PPDC for the intervention, describing it as a positive step towards modernising the administration of justice.

Justice Sunmonu said the facilities would help reduce the financial burden on litigants and legal practitioners, making access to justice more affordable. He assured the organisation that the judiciary would put the equipment to effective use.

Justice Segun-Olakojo also stressed the need for the judicial sector to embrace technological innovations to improve service delivery and make court proceedings more efficient.

A representative of CEDARS for Human Welfare, Mr Olatunji Oluwabukola, urged the NBA, Ogbomoso branch, to ensure that the facilities were accessible to intended users and properly utilised.

He also expressed his organisation’s readiness to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to support the implementation and sustainability of the project.

Also, a representative of the Christianah Oluwunmi Foundation commended PPDC for extending the innovation to Ogbomoso, saying the facilities would make court proceedings more responsive to contemporary realities.

The representative of the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service said virtual court appearances would ease the challenges associated with transporting inmates, including security and operational difficulties.

The NBA Chairman in Ogbomoso, Barrister A.T. Olaniyi, described the intervention as a long-awaited development, noting that technology was increasingly becoming important to the administration of justice.

He, however, emphasised that proper maintenance, management and regular utilisation of the facilities would be necessary to ensure their sustainability and deliver lasting benefits.

Bamgbose disclosed that the administrative arrangements and other operational requirements for the digitalised facilities had been addressed, expressing optimism that they would commence full operation soon.