By Obasola Olatunde
In a major step towards modernizing judicial processes, the Ogun State Judiciary has digitized over 3,000 court record books, including documents dating as far back as 1914, Chief Judge Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu announced on Monday.
Addressing participants at a training program for judiciary staff on Archiving and Management of Court Records at the Judiciary Complex, Kobape Road, Abeokuta, Justice Dipeolu said the project ensures that judicial history is safeguarded, justice delivery remains transparent, and accountability is maintained.
“About four years ago, in 2021, we conceived the idea of creating an Archives Section within the Ogun State Judiciary. Today, that vision is a reality. Over 3,000 record books are now preserved, rebounded, repaired, and scanned digitally, allowing easy access both manually and electronically,” Justice Dipeolu said.
She emphasized that poorly managed court records can distort justice, create historical uncertainty, and make accountability difficult. According to the Chief Judge, court records are more than administrative documents they provide evidence of the daily work of judges, magistrates, and other judicial officers, reflecting the integrity of the justice system.
The training, which was represented by Justice Olarenwaju Mabekoje, chairman of the training committee, is designed to equip staff with modern techniques for classifying, labeling, indexing, and managing court documents in line with international best practices. Justice Mabekoje said the exercise is the precursor to a broader four-week program aimed at restructuring the archives section of the state judiciary.
Participants at the program were drawn from the archivist section as well as high courts and magistrates’ courts across Ogun State’s three senatorial districts. The Chief Judge revealed that the digitization process involved careful rebinding of old and worn-out record books, followed by scanning into computer systems, creating a robust digital archive accessible to judiciary staff.
Legal experts have praised the initiative, noting that digitized archives not only improve efficiency in case management but also help prevent loss or tampering of historical legal records, which are critical for research, governance, and public trust.
Justice Dipeolu, who personally supervised the archives project, said the effort represents Ogun State Judiciary’s commitment to innovation, transparency, and strengthening the justice delivery system for future generations.