Steven Aya
A new electronic platform called ‘Justice Clock’, for tracking case files and case management has been launched by the Lagos State Government. The ‘Justice Clock’, which is the first of its kind in the nation’s Judiciary sector, is also expected to fast track issuance of legal advice.
Speaking at the launching of the platform, the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN, described the platform as a remarkable development that would be sustained for improved justice delivery.
The AG noted that the issuance of legal advice remained a contentious issue, as litigants frequently complain that case files stay too long in office of Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) without legal advice.
“So, we have decided to deploy technology to further improve the process of issuing legal advice”, he said.
“Anybody wanting legal advice can simply log on to our website, www.lagosstatemoj.org, to confirm if legal advice has been issued in respect of his case”, adding that such a litigant or Lawyer can even apply for a certified copy of the legal advice on line for a fee.
He said litigants, Lawyers, Magistrates and Judges can track movement of case files, and find out if legal advice has been issued on any matter before the court.
He disclosed that cases files for the period between January 2020 to date, have already been uploaded on the website. Onigbanjo said technology has been identified as one of the developmental processes, for effective justice delivery. He said this explained why Government is partnering with Citizen’s Gavel, on the deployment of the new application.
“We recognise the importance of technology and it is in light of this that we have in partnership with Citizens Gavel, a civic tech NGO, with the support of Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA), deployed a Case management solution to improve the operational efficiency of the DPPs office.
Also speaking at the event, Director, Citizen’s Gavel, Nelson Olanipekun explained the development of Justice Clock as a solution platform became imperative, because of the need to improve access to justice in the period of the pandemic. Olanipekun said it was also to eliminate pre-trial problems, delay in issuance of legal advice.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Mrs Olayinka Adeyemi said the new platform will improve efficiency and service delivery, and solve many problems associated with issuance of legal advice.
“We will not fail on the time line given for issuance of legal advice, as it would enhance our service delivery. There will be no more running after counsel and chasing of files”, she added.
