Aluko & Oyebode Partner, Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Security Agencies Relations Committee (NBA-SARC) and past Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch, Chukwuka Ikwuazom, SAN, has called for the licensing of service providers to provide real-time transcription services for court users to reduce delays in justice delivery.
Speaking as a panellist at the Law Week of NBA Eket Branch on the topic, “Justice Sector Reforms: Approach Needed for a New Nigeria,” Mr. Ikwuazom opined that the practice of judges recording proceedings in long hand, which is still pervading in our courts, is totally unacceptable. He demanded that the necessary investments be made to improve the IT infrastructure within our courts and to bring to an end this archaic practice. Pending when these investments are made, Mr Ikwuazom recommended that the various heads of court should license transcribers that can be retained by court users to provide transcription services.
Speaking further on how to improve the quality of judges who serve in different courts of the country, the learned Senior Advocate strongly recommended that the process for the appointment of judges should be completely insulated from political interference and that the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court Benches should be diversified to reflect the different segments of the profession including academics and practising lawyers.
On the dilatory tactics of some lawyers that occasion delays in justice administration, he advised judges to exercise their powers to punish such errant behaviour, including through the imposition of proper costs. Mr. Ikwuazom noted that the quantitative, rather than qualitative approach adopted in the assessment of candidates seeking elevation to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate encourages the filing of frivolous suits just to make up the numbers required.
He also made a case for the appointment of more judges, especially in busy jurisdictions, to reduce the almost impossible caseloads of some judges. He advised judges who, at present, do not schedule their cases, to start doing so to achieve more effective case management.
