Group calls for improved court facilities, review of legal aid system

A  civil society group, Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN), has said there is need for the provision of electronic recording facilities in courts for effective record taking of proceedings by judges and magistrates across the country. Speaking recently in Abuja while presenting its report on the judicial sector in the country, the Programme Manager of […]

A  civil society group, Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN), has said there is need for the provision of electronic recording facilities in courts for effective record taking of proceedings by judges and magistrates across the country.

Speaking recently in Abuja while presenting its report on the judicial sector in the country, the Programme Manager of the group which is also known as Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative, Barbara Maigari, described as ‘unfashionable’ for judges and magistrates to write in long hand during court proceedings noting that it was part of the causes of delay in court judgements.

She said presently, the courts that have electronic recording facilities were still below 13 per cent at the magistrates’ courts and between 36 and 42 per cent at the high courts.

Maigari also listed the absence of defence lawyers and suspects in courts; official trips by judges and frequent adjournment of cases as some of the factors militating against speedy trial of cases.

The PWAN programme manager also called for the immediate review of the legal aid system in the country to ascertain how well it has discharged its mandate.