American government supports Ogun state government’s effort to strengthen criminal justice administration
The United States of America(USA) has declared support for the launch of an electronic court scheduling and case management system for the Ogun state judiciary, adding that the initiative will shorten court delays and case backlogs and deliver justice more efficiently for the citizens of Nigeria.
Penpushing reports that the American Ambassador, Mary Beth Leonard made the disclosure on Tuesday when she joined Governor Dapo Abiodun and the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, for the launch of an electronic court scheduling and case management system for the state judiciary.
The Ambassador in her remarks at the ceremony held in Abeokuta, the state capital highlighted the positive trajectory of law enforcement cooperation between the American Mission and the Ogun State government that includes support for the establishment of the Corrections Information Management System and the Court Attendance Endorsement Form
“The new case management system was developed as a solution to promote efficiency in the allocation of time and resources to court cases. We have high hopes that the electronic court scheduling and case management system will help speed up the pace of criminal justice in Ogun State’, she said
Penpushing further reports that, Leonard noted that, the introduction of Corrections Information Management System and the Court Attendance Endorsement Form serve the key goals to decongest prisons, provide the necessary infrastructure to speed up the pace of criminal adjudication, and to ensure the creation of data that will document any delays,
The ceremony was attended by senior judicial officers, state legislators, law enforcement officers, civil society representatives and members of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), among other stakeholders
Penpushing also reports that, the Corrections Information Management System is deployed by the Ogun State Command of the Nigeria Correctional Services to record and monitor the length of time pre-trial suspects are kept in custody.
The Court Attendance Endorsement Form, in similar vein, enables the correctional facilities and courts in Ogun State to track court attendance and case hearings for persons in custody.
Penpushing reports the Governor in his speech appreciated the American government for the partnership that culminated in the introduction of the electronic court scheduling and case management system for the state judiciary describing it as a trailblazing effort in the administration of justice in the state.
The Chief Judge Justice Dipeolu in her remarks urged judges, magistrates and other judicial officers in the state to embrace the new electronic system, emphasizing that the digitization will aid quick dispensation of justice and make their job as judges easier with the ripple effect of attracting investors to the state.
Penpushing further reports that the Ogun State Government through the support of American Mission’s Office of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), initiated a collaboration with a local law firm, Olaniwun Ajayi Legal Practitioners, to develop a manual detailing this new system.
The International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), works with partner governments to help reduce crime, promote public safety, and to ensure that people have access to a functioning justice system that is fair, transparent, and accountable.
Penpushing also reports that Olaniwun Ajayi Legal Practitioners and Ogun State government, following the American. Mission’s initial support, expanded on the project and digitised the process into a multi-user electronic system.
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