From Abel Leonard, Lafia
The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) has deployed speech-to-text and virtual court facilities in eight courts across Nasarawa State to address the impediments in the criminal justice system. The program manager for the PPDC, Mr. Joseph Uba, disclosed this during a capacity-building workshop held in Lafia.
According to Uba, a baseline assessment revealed key challenges, including delays in trial proceedings due to factors beyond the control of judges and magistrates. “For instance, when a suspect or a witness fails to appear in court, it is not within the control of the magistrate or judge,” he explained.
Uba further emphasized that the adoption of virtual court technology aims to mitigate these issues, citing a case where a video playback of court proceedings resolved disputes about a previous order. “We are equipping our courts with virtual court-enabled facilities to ensure faster and more efficient trials, especially in areas prone to insecurity or logistical challenges,” he said.
Uba revealed that the deployment of these facilities was made possible through the unwavering support of stakeholders, including the Nasarawa State Judiciary and donors. “Their commitment encouraged our donors to provide more funds, enabling us to expand the project. We don’t just deploy equipment; we mentor and guide stakeholders throughout the process,” he added.
The PPDC initiative aligns with the Supreme Court’s ruling affirming the legality of virtual court proceedings. The Supreme Court, in the consolidated case of Attorney General of Lagos State vs. Attorney General of Ekiti State, stated that virtual hearings are constitutional unless they infringe on specific rights.
The Chief Judge of Nasarawa State, Justice Aisha Bashir, lauded the initiative, describing it as transformative for the judiciary. “This system has helped us immensely, especially for criminal matters and even matrimonial cases involving parties residing abroad. It saves time and effort,” she remarked.
Justice Bashir also noted that the technology addresses logistical constraints, particularly for correctional centers. “With these facilities, defendants can attend hearings virtually from correctional centers, eliminating the challenges of inadequate and outdated operational vehicles,” she said.
Representing the Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Nadad is the OC Legal, SP Ifeanyi Nwafoaku highlighted the impact of the initiative on the Nigerian Police Force. “This training has immensely benefited us, particularly in enhancing justice delivery. The Commissioner assures the PPDC of our continued support,” Nwafoaku stated.
The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Nasarawa State, Alaku Daniel Dauda ESQ, also commended the PPDC’s efforts. “This development leverages technology to fast-track justice delivery. The NBA pledges its full support for this initiative and any other projects that enhance the justice system,” he said.
Stakeholders at the workshop expressed optimism about the continued adoption of technology to improve justice delivery in Nasarawa State.