NBA decries poor courtroom facilities, e-filing challenges in Ondo

The Nigeria Bar Association’s Akure branch says technology intended to make court work faster has instead added to lawyers’ burdens in Ondo State. Its chairman, Oju Kekemeke, also criticized the condition of existing courtrooms and wider systemic problems affecting legal practice.

Kekemeke raised the concerns in his inaugural address, titled “The Hour of Duty Has Clocked,” after he and other members of the new branch executive took office in Akure. He said lawyers were working in a difficult environment shaped by both infrastructure problems and weaknesses in court administration.

“We have embraced electronic filing, but it has created unnecessary burdens. At this age, technology should speed up processes and not delay processes,” Kekemeke said. He pledged to seek improvements in electronic filing, case assignment, case management and other procedures connected to the Court Management Information System.

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We have embraced electronic filing, but it has created unnecessary burdens. At this age, technology should speed up processes and not delay processes.

He also advocated electronic recording of court proceedings, saying it would ease the burden on judges who currently record proceedings by hand. While commending the Ondo State Government for intervening in the construction of a new High Court complex, he urged the judiciary to address the state of existing courtroom facilities.

“The dilapidated courtroom facilities do not represent our honour, dignity and nobility,” he said. Kekemeke linked the condition of the courts to the need for financial autonomy for the judiciary and said the branch would support and monitor its implementation by the state’s executive and judicial arms.

Other issues he identified included delays in processing Certificates of Occupancy and perfecting title documents, alleged exploitative practices at court and police registries, and implementation of the lawyers’ remuneration order. He said the branch would engage relevant stakeholders and strengthen welfare structures, including the NBA Akure Cooperative Society.

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The dilapidated courtroom facilities do not represent our honour, dignity and nobility.