By Idowu Adebomi, Ado-Ekiti
In a significant move to modernize the administration of justice, the Ekiti State Judiciary has officially commenced its transition to the Nigeria Case Management System (NCMS), a digital framework that will allow judges to perform their duties remotely.
This technological leap, initiated by the National Judicial Council (NJC), empowers judges to access case files, review evidence, conduct proceedings, and deliver rulings from any location, effectively ending the requirement for a constant physical presence in the courtroom throughout a case’s lifecycle.
The Chairman of the Judicial Information Technology Policy Committee (JITPO), Hon. Justice Kashim Zanna, detailed the rollout during a roundtable meeting in Ado-Ekiti, noting that the country’s traditional paper-based system is no longer equipped to handle the demands of a fast-paced society.
He argued that the judiciary must evolve to match the digital speed seen in sectors like banking, stressing that while moving out of an analogue comfort zone may be challenging, it is essential for institutional efficiency, judicial health, and restoring public confidence in the courts.
The Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Hon. Justice Lekan Ogunmoye, confirmed that the state has already established a robust technical foundation for this shift, including the creation of a dedicated data center and the installation of local area networks across court facilities.
In addition to procuring the necessary computer systems and hardware, the judiciary has conducted extensive training for judges and court staff, with specialized ICT personnel receiving advanced instruction at the NJC in Abuja.
This transition also marks a permanent change for the legal profession at large. Justice Zanna issued a firm advisory to lawyers, describing the shift toward digital legal practice as irreversible and urging them to upskill in electronic filing and virtual proceedings immediately.
The Ekiti State Attorney-General, Mr. Dayo Apata (SAN), reinforced this by stating that the NCMS will strengthen accountability and transparency by utilizing automated alerts, analytical reporting, and electronic case tracking to curb corruption and eliminate long-standing judicial delays.
