The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has maintained that virtual court proceedings will help boost the country’s economy as funds used to transport inmates to court can be diverted into small-scale businesses.
Malami on Monday at the inauguration of the virtual court sitting facilities deployed at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, noted that the system will also encourage speedy trails.
He said: “This initiative will in no small measure help boost the economy by ensuring that funds meant for the movement of the inmates would be channelled to other essential areas of needs in the Correctional Centres, and assist the country to meet up with global best practice in terms of the Administration of Criminal Justice.
“This system would equally ensure speedy dispensation of trials in line with section 36(4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), which provides that every person shall be entitled to fair hearing within a reasonable time. It would also eliminate the issue of difficulties in conveying the inmates to court and would further ensure the safety and security of the inmates and law enforcement officers.
“We are no longer constrained by mobility, space and time in the delivery of justice delivery on account of accommodation of the virtual court sitting facilities and deployment of incidental technology.
“I assure you that the Virtual Court Proceedings are in compliance with the provisions of section 36(3) of the Constitution, which provides for public court sitting or hearing. These virtual court proceedings meet up with the expectation of the Constitution and are not private hearings but open to the respective counsel involved, the litigants (inmates) and the general public at large.
