By Ibironke Ariyo
Chairman Board of Trustees, Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC), Mr Chibuzo Ekwekwuo, has underscored the need for technological innovations in the judiciary, to promote a digitally inclined justice system.
Ekwekwuo made the call in Abuja at the 2025 Access to Justice Parley, tagged “Justice, Security and Governance: A Unified Agenda for Nigeria’s Sustainable Development”.
He said that the justice sector required solution-driven conversations involving judges, prosecutors, lawyers and court administrators to tackle real issues.
According to him, his many years of experience as a lawyer, has exposed him to the various structural bottlenecks within the court system.
He said that this included issues of delays, missing case files, absence of witnesses, lack of logistics for conveying prison inmates as well as challenges with bailiffs and legal practitioners.
The chairman noted that technology can significantly improve court operations, case management, access to justice and communication among justice actors.
“We have built a team of young, skilled Nigerians ready to work with the judiciary.
“PPDC had already developed artificial intelligence tools, digital filing systems and other court support applications,” he said.
He, consequently, urged the judiciary to partner with the PPDC’s innovation team, to co-design and deploy technological tools which will enhance the justice process.
Meanwhile, Ekwekwuo acknowledged the support of USAID towards PPDC’s justice reform initiative but noted that donor support may not continue indefinitely.
In her keynote address, a High Court Judge, Justice Eberechi Nyesom-Wike, called for a justice system which is firmly rooted in integrity, fairness and accountability.
Nyesom-Wike noted that justice must go beyond the courtroom, to reflect societal structures that protect vulnerable members of society.
According to her, the true measure of justice lies in how institutions effectively uphold the rights of every citizen, particularly the vulnerable.
She noted that an equitable justice system is essential to building public trust among national institutions as well as strengthening the rule of law.
The judge also called for the digitisation of courtrooms and judicial processes to improve efficiency, reduce delays and promote justice administration.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of Devon Technologies, Mr Peter Bemshima, shared insights on the role of technology in promoting justice and transparency.
He said that e-connect, an innovative platform, can seamlessly link lawyers with real-life clients while managing consultations and payments with ease. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Sandra Umeh
