The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has charged the Judges and Staff of the National Industrial Court to always be at par with the technological trends happening the world over, especially as it relates to the Justice sector. Mr. Akpata made this known while delivering his address at the commencement ceremony of the 2020/2021 New legal Year of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) at Abuja on the 5th of October, 2020.
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According to the respected gentleman, the event of the pandemic—COVID 19; has taught everyone lessons that must be learnt. He considered that the effects of the pandemic has brought some notable changes in the administration of Justice with the virtual hearing of cases by various courts, as well as the virtual conduct of the 2020 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigerian Bar Association. This he said were various proofs of technical awakening and as such the Justice sector cannot afford to miss out on the opportunities it presents.
The NBA president however lamented the fact that as at today, most Judicial officers still record proceeding by long hand due to the lack of technological equipments in various court and the none enabling legislation in some jurisdiction. This sad situation he stated, has its negative toll on the administration of Justice, ranging from the waste of scarce Judicial time and hazardous health implications on the Judges. He called on the Legislative and Executive arms of government to do the needful.
Akpata who also took a swipe on executive branch of government as it relates to their attitudes when it comes to obeying court orders, which he stated was worrisome and disheartening, as most federal and state executives only obey court orders whenever they feel like obeying same, thereby making a mockery of the Rule of Law.
On the need for financial Independence for the Judiciary, he stated that the NBA would take up measures to address the situation within the existing legal framework. As the true independence of the Judiciary is interwoven with the financial Independence of the court, hence, it is a sad scenario when heads of various courts are seen going ‘a-begging’ to the executive arm in order to carry out needed reforms within the Judiciary—another arm of government. He likened such a scenario to a ‘Master-Servant’ relationship, whilst he condemned it.
Mr. Olumide Akpata, however did not miss out on praising the Industrial Court for recent developments and successes recorded by the court, noting that the Judges, staff and the industrial court remains a model for others. He commended their dutifulness in carrying out their mandate as a specialized labour court and further reaffirmed his commitment and partnership with the court moving forward.
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