PPDC unveils tech solution to ease court processes

The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) has relaunched its innovative Court Administration and Case Management (CACM) technology to revolutionize Nigeria’s criminal justice system.

The technology seeks to enhance court administration, case management, and scheduling systems, ensuring speedy and efficient dispensation of justice.

The CACM project addresses critical challenges in Nigeria’s judicial system, such as delayed judgments, inadequate case and evidence management, and logistical hurdles in transporting inmates.

By introducing speech-to-text facilities, virtual courts, and standardized case-filing units, the project streamlines administrative tasks, fosters transparency, and improves overall case management efficiency.

The initiative was unveiled during the “Access to Justice” Parley in Abuja on Wednesday.

Already, six states: Kaduna, Nasarawa, Plateau, FCT, Adamawa, and Lagos have adopted the initiative, as judges and court staff in these states are undergoing training.

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The initiative also aims to digitise at least 50 per cent of Nigerian courts within five years.

The CACM project is supported by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and developed by Devon Tech, a PPDC subsidiary.

During the event, there was a live demonstration at the Apo High Court, Abuja where a mock court session showcased the software’s capabilities.

Within minutes, court proceedings were transcribed and made available to judges and staff, underscoring the potential for rapid case processing.

Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of PPDC, Lucy Abagi said: “This technology addresses inefficiencies in our judiciary, but state-level collaboration and counterpart funding is essential for its success.

“The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) is committed to advancing the digitization of courts systems in Nigeria, and by extension, across Africa. Our mission is to reduce the number of pretrial detainees by at least 50% within the next decade. With support from the United States Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, PPDC has successfully piloted court digitisation and virtual hearing systems, e-filing systems, evidence management and other technological support in three states—Kaduna, Nasarawa, and Plateau—impacting eight courts in each of the states.

“In the current phase, additional states, including Ebonyi, FCT and Oyo, will benefit, with three courts digitised in each state, bringing the total to 33 courts. While this is a significant achievement, it is only a small fraction of the over 1,000 courts nationwide, including various divisions and magistrate/customary courts. PPDC remains dedicated to scaling this initiative to transform justice delivery in Nigeria.

“A key objective of the reforming Pretrial Detention in Nigeria (RPDN) Project Phase II being implemented by PPDC is the Provision of free legal representation for pretrial detainees at Correctional Centres across six States in Nigeria (Kaduna, Nasarawa, and Plateau, FCT, Adamawa and Lagos).”

PPDC’s Board Chair, Chibuzor Ekwekwuo highlighted the broader impact of digitising court processes, adding: “Achieving this level of digitisation could solve at least half of the problems of the court and the justice system and then enable us to address the other human elements.

He said: “What we are doing as PPDC is to address these technical and infrastructure problems. Like they said, justice delayed is justice denied.”

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A former Solicitor-General in Kaduna State and keynote speaker, Chris Umar, SAN said efforts have been made to improve judicial processes and access to justice for all Nigerians.

He said: “As we interact with Nigeria’s legal and judicial systems, the need for effective, innovative, and inclusive reforms is more pressing than ever.

“The Nigerian justice system, with all its potential, faces significant challenges that hinder its accessibility, fairness, and efficiency. Yet, these challenges also present opportunities—opportunities to explore new ways of thinking, leverage cutting-edge technology, and engage diverse voices to create a system that truly serves all Nigerians.

“Over the past decades, efforts have been made to improve judicial processes and access to justice for all Nigerians. Various legislative reforms, policy initiatives, and collaborative projects have aimed to reduce the backlog of cases, enhance transparency, and improve the quality of legal services.

“The Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) of 2015, for instance, has been a milestone in modernising criminal justice administration, emphasising the rights of defendants and efficient case management.

“Despite these efforts, substantial challenges remain. Persistent delays in court proceedings, case congestion, and limited access to legal representation continue to erode public confidence in the judiciary.”