Edo State High Court Completes First Phase of Automation, Others to Follow in Few Weeks

By Lucky Isibor 

The first phase of the automation of Edo State High Courts which comprises of automated recording of Court proceedings has been completed. This will be followed by the second phase which comprises of electronic filing of Court processes, electronic scheduling and others which will be completed in the next few weeks. 

The Chief Judge of Edo State,  Honorable Justice Daniel Okungbowa disclosed this in his opening remarks at the 

first quarterly meeting of the Edo State Programme Steering Group (SPSG) of the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (RoLAC) held at the High Court complex in Benin City on Friday, 13 March. 

The Chief Judge noted that judges no longer record proceedings in long hands, adding that machinery has also been put in motion to approach the state government to extend it to Magistrate Courts in the state. 

He disclosed that the second phase of the court automation which involves e-filing of processes is nearing completion as the internet facilities and other hardwares have been put in place, adding that the National Judicial Council NJC has also been approached to make available the soft ware for it's take off.

"We broke the automation of Courts in Edo State into two segments, first is the recording in courts and we've completed that. As it is now we no longer take record of proceedings in long hands, we just take short notes, everything is automated and at the end of the day you can get your proceedings. 

"Then the other segment of it is e-filling, e-scheduling and all of that. The Internet facilities have been put in place, we've approached the National Judicial Council for the soft ware; everything is in place and hopefully in another one month or so everything will be in place from start to finish everything will be automated."

On what the judiciary and the general public stands to gain from the exercise, the Chief Judge said: "The dispensation of justice will be easier, smoother and faster.you can sit down in the comfort of your office and file your processes; the judge can in the comfort of his office or anywhere, schedule the cases for hearing and when you come to court it's faster, you don't need to tell a witness to hold on because the judge is writing, all that time is saved. It is a good development for the state."

While briefing members of Edo SPSG on the Year 4-5 RoLAC Work Plan, Edo Programme Officer of RoLAC, Imonitie Omokhodion highlighted some of the achievements of the programme in the state in past year to include the establishment of the Uromi Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), supported the State Sexual Assault Referral Centres through stipends, logistics and mentoring, development of a simplified Disability Rights Law, trained 36 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on Anti-Tirture Act, organised legal aid interventions for 95 awaiting trial inmates, resulting in 15 releases, held accountability workshop for personnel of Local Government Area Councils; trained 50 staff of Edo State Public Procurement Agency (EDPPA) on procurement ethics, held advocacy and capacity building for the implementation Freedom of Information Law (FOI), among other achievements. 

High point of the meeting was the adoption of the Year 4-5 Work Plan and the overview of activities for the first and second quarter Year four, which is 2026.