Lawyers set agenda for new CJN

Some Lagos-based lawyers on Sunday said that leveraging technology would lead to quick dispensation of justice in Nigeria and called for the elimination of hindrances to it.

The lawyers said this in interviews with the newsmen in Lagos.

They reacted to the decision of the newly-confirmed Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, to leverage technology.

The Senate on Sept. 25 confirmed the appointment of Kekere-Ekun as the CJN.

A lawyer, Dr. Yemi Omodele, said that technology had shaped the world and the judiciary was not exempted.

He, however, said that some of the factors that must be put in place to make technology work in the judicial system included electricity supply, quality network service, dedication by judicial officers and workers, and training and re-training of judicial workers.

He said, “Corruption must be fought out of the judiciary to enable technology to thrive.

“There are some people who will not want an innovation that will chase them out of business.

“They may want to frustrate the proposal or intention.

“The CJN should be ready to let that set of people to vacate their offices so that the initiative can work because it is a fact that corruption is in every sector.”

Omodele said the position of the CJN to use technology in ensuring quick dispensation of justice was commendable and should be supported.

According to him, Nigeria is the number one country in Africa and it will not be out of place if the country’s judiciary adopts technology fast.

The lawyer hoped that giving conflicting court decisions would be eliminated with technological innovations in the judicial system.

Another Lagos-based lawyer, Mr Kehinde Nubi, said that the CJN rightly said that waning confidence in the judiciary was worth tackling headlong.

According to him, this should be a cornerstone of the CJN’s policy thrust.

Nubi, principal counsel at Kehinde Nubi and Associates, said that Kekere-Ekun was highly disciplined and, therefore, expected to run a corruption-free and independent judiciary.

He said that it was important because of the perception that judiciary might no longer be trusted as the last hope of the common man.

He said that granting of ex-parte orders in controversial manners and giving conflicting orders by courts of coordinate jurisdiction were a problem to the judiciary.

Nubi expressed the hope that judges would henceforth be more careful in granting ex-parte orders.

He said, “I took particular notice of the chief justice’s declaration to deal with lawyers who comment on matters that are subjudice.

“I am of the opinion that my lord should descend on such lawyers in accordance with the law.

“I am thrilled that the CJN has promised to leverage technology to enhance the business of the judiciary. This is a digital age,” he said.

The lawyers said that he hoped for a vibrant, disciplined, and corruption-free judiciary under Kekere-Ekun.