Osinbajo Backs Virtual Court Proceedings

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has said that leveraging on technology is now the way to go for the justice sector.

He threw his weight behind it in a tweet on Friday, calling for more technological feats in that regard.

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“We must now have purpose-built virtual-proceedings software that take into account the various needs of trials and other court proceedings.

“For the administration of justice system, change has surely come and I am personally excited to see how easily our entire judicial system is willingly adapting to innovation”, he tweeted.

He stressed that the world was evolving, and as such, the judiciary should follow suit.

“Technology and its innovations have defined a new way of life, taking technology away from the realms of luxury into the arena of everyday endeavours.

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“Yet there is more to do,” he added.

This also corroborates the directive of the National Judicial Council in May 2020, signalling its approval of virtual proceedings.

“Virtual court sittings (alternately referred to as “remote court sittings” or “online court sittings”) should be encouraged and promoted by the courts and Counsel; the courts should insist on such remote hearings for matters that do not require taking any evidence.

“All judgments, ruling and directions may be delivered and handed down by the courts in and through remote court sittings,” the NJC had directed.

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