*Make Significant Suggestions On Publications of Judgement And Verbatim Recording of Proceedings
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-IDRI-Masterclass.png")
The Justice Reform Project (JRP) has written has written to the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola stating that in light of recent happenings, now more than ever, there was an urgent need for judicial reforms and in addition proposed some suggestions for reforming the publications of judgements and the verbal recording of proceedings to mitigate the rate of errors plaguing the system.
In a letter sighted by TheNigeriaLawyer, dated 31st August,2022, and signed by the Chairman, Governing Board and the Convener of The Justice Reform Project (JRP) Olufunke Adekoya SAN and Chief Adeyemi Candide-Johnson SAN, JRP recalled the earlier letter on the 4th of July, 2022 to the Acting CJN wherein they had congratulated him on his appointment and made a call for urgent judicial reforms, urging the CJN to consider the imminent implementation of the reform proposals agreed by major stakeholders at the Justice Sector Summit in January 2022.
According to the letter, this subsequent call was in light of recent happenings. Citing the incident of the Supreme Court on 26th July 2022 issuing a disclaimer informing the public about the wrong publication of a judgment, and then that of the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom being in the news for the committal of a legal practitioner for contemptuous conduct in the course of proceedings, the JRP viewed that thos demanded urgent reforms. “These events underscore the urgency of justice sector reforms and necessitate the prioritisation of court digitalisation. In this regard, we propose two cost-effective and easily-attainable solutions that will forestall similar controversies in the future” the letter stated.
Accordingly, the JRP proposed some reformation which they viewed will be very efficient in the judicial system. On publications of judgment, they urged that the Supreme Court make use of their website to publish judgement to avoid incidents like that of July 26th, 2022. The JRP wrote thus: “The publication of decisions of the Supreme Court on its website would obliterate any doubts as to the authenticity of a judgment of the court and ensure easy verification by members of the public.”
To buttress this point, the JRP mass blue reference to the success the National Industrial Court has had with utilizing its website. In the words of JRP if this was done: “Not only will this ensure efficiency and forestall similar controversies, it will also curb corruption in the judiciary, a move that will ultimately be beneficial for the justice sector.”
On the issue of verbatim recording of proceedings, the JRP opined that in cases of contempt of court committed in court, the record of proceedings is undoubtedly the best evidence of the events as they transpired and will, in most cases, always be referred to.
According to the JRP, the contrasting facts of event that transpired in the case involving The Chief Justice of Akwa Ibom and Inibihe Effiong as regards contempt committed by the later, raised the need for verbatim recording of Court proceedings. The JRP proposed thus: “To forestall similar situations, enhance the quality of justice administration and, implicitly, enforce optimal standards of behaviour by lawyers and judges alike, JRP recommends the introduction of verbatim and electronic recording of proceedings across courts nationwide. JRP recognises previous and ongoing attempts by some courts to introduce this reform but suggests a complimentary and cost-effective solution to an obvious problem in our courts – placing an obligation on parties/legal practitioners to produce the record. This is a solution we have tabled to courts in the Federal and State High Courts in Lagos in a bid to enhance their procedural efficiency.”
In addition to this, the JRP proposed that parties/legal practitioners be permitted to record proceedings and jointly produce a transcript which will be adopted by the court as the record of each proceeding alongside the audio recordings from which the transcript was produced. “This will cost the courts nothing and will allow judges focus entirely on judging”, JRP reasoned. They recommended that this can be replicated nationally through the use of smartphones.
On this note, the JRP once again urged His Lordship, in his capacity as Chairman of the National Judicial Council, to consider the above proposals as an extremely urgent matter, stating that as always, they remained committed towards supporting the CJN in judicial reforms in Nigeria.
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation
______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
