Opeyemi Bamidele, the Senator representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly, has spoken on how virtual court processes will help fast track Nigeria’s criminal justice system.
He disclosed in a statement on Thursday that the new paradigm shift is what is obtained in the western world.
Mr Bamidele who is also the Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, is sponsoring a bill seeking the adoption of virtual proceedings in courts. The bill is awaiting second reading, POLITICS NIGERIA understands.
He said: “Technology has been adopted as an instrument for the speedy delivery of judgements on cases in advanced nations. Many cases were being heard through teleconference and judgements passed through the same route.
“Apart from decongesting our courts, it helps during emergency situations as we are experiencing under coronavirus pandemic.
“One can imagine how our country and the world at large would have been if the judiciary is suspended as being witnessed in other arms of government.
“Judiciary as an artist of government must move with the tide. As a way of complying with social distancing policy of governments under COVID-19, President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Executive Council now holds weekly FEC meeting through virtual means, so that the nation will not suffer good governance.
“The same method has been adopted by governors in many states and I see no reason why the judiciary can’t adopt the same to entrench the rule of law in the system, because one can’t get justice when activities of courts are suspended indefinitely because justice delay is justice denied.
“Judiciary is the bastion of democracy and the rule of law. It is the foundation on which other sectors rest and rotate and impunity reigns supreme when that arm can no longer perform its functions and that is why virtual proceeding is expedient to save our nation from anarchy in times of emergency like this.”
