The Chief Judge of Ebonyi, Justice Elvis Ngene, on Monday, inaugurated a 15-member Advisory Committee with a mandate of facilitating the state’s Court Administration and Case Management (CACM) project.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the CACM project is aimed at promoting speedy justice delivery through the digitisation of court processes, and other judicial process
Ngene tasked the committee on hard work, in a bid to achieve the objectives of the project, adding that there were enormous benefits to be derived.
He also commended the Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC), for bringing the project to Ebonyi, and pledged government cooperation, in ensuring a successful implementation.
“The benefits the state as a whole and judiciary in particular will derive from this project are enormous; it will aid the quick and speedy dispensation of justice.
“All of us are witnesses to the slow pace of work due to the analogue system we employ in our various courts and even in the various organisations in which we are employed.
“The aid of PPDC is coming to Ebonyi at no better time; so, I welcome all of you and pray that God will see us through and ensure that the intent of PPDC and Ebonyi government will work as effectively as it has worked in other states.” he said
Meanwhile, in a brief remark, the states’s Attorney-General, Dr. Ben Odoh, applauded the PPDC for finding the state worthy of the CACM project.
He, noted that the project earlier slated to last for one year, has been extended to two years.
“We want to thank them for their practical kindness in assisting us to have access to justice, by addressing capacity and infrastructure deficits to our criminal justice execution,” he said.
In her address, Senior Programme Manager, Access to Justice of PPDC, Mrs Linda Daze, noted that the CACM project is aimed at improving the efficiency of the criminal justice system in Ebonyi and Nigeria at large.
She noted that the project had been successfully implemented in states like Nasarawa, Kaduna, and Plateau.
According to her, the project focuses on enhancing the capacity of Nigeria’s criminal justice system, its efficiency, and accountability.
“By efficiency, we are looking at speed in criminal trials, accountability in the criminal justice system and transparency and these are the only things that will make the citizens of Ebonyi to believe in the justice system,” she said
She added that the project had four major areas o focus incuding: court administration, case management, case scheduling as well as notifications.
She noted that while the project will also be looking at evidence-based relation, she is optimistic that effective management of the process will positively affect the outcome of justice.
NAN reports that the project is funded with support from the United States Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. (NAN)
