I’ll computerise nation’s courts before I retire –CJN

[Mirror]

Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Mariam Aloma Murhktar, yesterday said she would actualise a computerised Case Management System, CMS, for Nigerian courts before her exit from the bench.

Murhktar is expected to bow out of the Supreme Court bench in November next year for clocking the mandatory retirement age of 70 years. The CJN said the computerisation of the judiciary is expected to enhance justice system in the country.

She spoke at the official signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, between the National Judicial Council, NJC, and the National Center for State Courts in Abuja for the installation of the technology in Abuja, yesterday.

According to the Executive Secretary of the National Judicial Council, NJC, Danladi Haliru, he said the ceremony had vindicated the resolve of Justice Mukhtar to leave behind a functional case management system at the end of her tenure next year.

His words: "This project is very dear to the heart of the honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mariam Aloma Murktah and on behalf of the chief judge, I wish to appreciate the role of the Chief Judge of Borno State in piloting the case of the committee so far, the result being what we have just witnessed.

"I appreciate the management of the state Court of America in realising this dream. We wish to express appreciation to all members of the committee in ensuring the dream of the CJN in developing and ensuring that a case management system for the Nigerian judiciary is realised. "The CJN has publicly declared her intention to actualise this very project before her exit from the bench," he added.

In his opening remark, the Chief Judge of Borno State and Chairman of the Judicial Information Technology Policy Committee, JITPC, Justice Kashim Zannah said; "The need to customise the nation's judiciary cannot be over emphasized.

"You would understand that a lot of automation has taken place in most sectors in the hospitals, banks, and businesses." According to Justice Zannah; "When it comes to courts, it is a unique area where you cannot find expertise easily.

We have gone for the best and we are grateful that they have been very considerate, very helpful and patient to our methods and ways. "And today, we are here to do the formal signing of the agreement to implement this court automation effort." The Chief Judge of Borno State further said; "The state courts are the best they write the books on these things.

They have the expertise and experience from working in all parts of the world and to them everyone runs to them including the courts in the United States. "Indeed, much as it is a centre for state courts even the federal courts run to them when it comes to court technology," he added. Jeff Apperlson, the vicepresident of the State Courts of the United States said; "I want to thank Chief Justice Zannah and I think he is a man of vision.

And the member staff of the National Judicial Council. "I am very proud to work together in a partnership to establish a case management system for Nigeria that will facilitate efficiency, transparency and accountability for the courts and people of Nigeria. Apperlson also stated that; "We will integrate the various courts in the country. But we are going to start with the Supreme Court first and we are hoping that by 2014 we will have the technology in place.

National Mirror