Endsars Protests: Reps Raise Alarm Over Destruction Of Courts, Missing Documents

……Canvass electronic filing, automation of courts ,more budgetary allocation for Judiciary

By Kassim Omomia

The House of Representatives has raised the alarm over missing documents and possibility of stalling cases already listed in some courts destroyed by hoodlums who hijacked the EndSars Protest, just as it demands more funds for the judiciary to begin electronic and digital processes for courts

Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Judiciary ,Hon. Onofioke Luke who raised the red flag during a budget defence session with the National Judicial Council, NJC, the Supreme Court and other lower courts in the country, also expressed readiness to meet with the leadership of the National Assembly to increase the annual budgetary allocation of N110 billion to the federal judiciary , which accordingly is grossly inadequate in the dispensation of justice.

He noted that the massive looting and destruction of public and private property which included some courts has necessitated the urgent need of automating Nigeria court system, right from the filing process to judgement delivery.

The Committee Chairman noted that such vandalism resulted to loss of some vital court documents in some courts, which could stall several lawsuits and trials.

Following the development, he canvassed the urgent need to implement electronic filing of court process, electronic recording and transcription of court proceedings and electronic collection of judgment and having a central saver that backs up court processes and documents and synchronise data across all remote locations.

According to the committee, the gesture will quicken justice delivery and forestall loss of court documents.

The committee noted, however, that there was the compelling need, arising from the destruction of courts and their properties for more funds to be allocated far above N110 billion statutory transfer for the judiciary in the 2021 budget

“It is worrisome to note that the 2021 Budget Estimates for the Judiciary in the sum of One Hundred and Ten Billion Naira (N110,000,000,000.000) only, which represents Statutory Transfer to the Judiciary, is inadequate in view of current realities “,the committee chairman reiterated, insisting that they will meet the National Assembly for more funds for the Judiciary to address their challenges stronger for expedited and efficient dispensation of justice in the country.

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The Committee also commend President Buhari for the appointment of eight Justices of the Supreme Court, thereby raising the number of justices to 20, which will help in fast-tracking administration and delivery of justice and also pleaded that the President immediately fills the vacant positions in the Court of Appeal