NBA decries poor courtroom facilities, e-filing challenges in Ondo

The Nigeria Bar Association, Akure Branch, has raised concerns over poor courtroom facilities and other systemic challenges affecting legal practice in Ondo State.‎ The branch also criticised the difficulties associated with electronic filing, saying a system introduced to improve court processes had instead created additional burdens for lawyers. The branch chairman, Oju Kekemeke, raised the concerns in his inaugural address, 'The Hour of Duty Has Clocked,' made available on Monday. Kekemeke, who was inaugurated alongside other members of the new executive on Saturday in Akure, said lawyers in the state were practising in a difficult environment due to systemic and infrastructural challenges. ‎He said, 'As practitioners of the law, our practice environment in Akure and Ondo State in general is challenged, both in its systemic and infrastructural compositions. We have embraced electronic filing, but it has created unnecessary burdens. At this age, technology should speed up processes and not delay processes.' Kekemeke said the branch would pursue improvements in electronic filing, case assignment, case management and other processes linked to the Court Management Information System. He also advocated the introduction of electronic recording of court proceedings, saying it would reduce the burden on judges who currently record proceedings by hand. The NBA chairman commended the Ondo State Government for its intervention in the construction of a new High Court complex but urged the judiciary to address the condition of existing courtroom facilities. ‎'The dilapidated courtroom facilities do not represent our honour, dignity and nobility. I am not in doubt that these issues will invite us to the octopus of the problem – financial autonomy for the judiciary. We will continue to support it, and we will do more to closely monitor its implementation by the executive and the judicial arms of government in the state,' he said. He added that the branch would continue to support and monitor the implementation of judicial financial autonomy by the executive and judicial arms of government in the state. Kekemeke further identified delays in the processing of Certificates of Occupancy and perfection of title documents, alleged exploitative practices at court and police registries, and implementation of the lawyers' remuneration order as other challenges requiring attention. He pledged that the branch would engage relevant stakeholders to address the concerns. On members' welfare, the chairman said the branch would establish sustainable structures to improve the wellbeing of lawyers, while strengthening the NBA Akure Cooperative Society. He said, ‎'The full implementation of our Welfare Scheme and the recalibration of the NBA Akure Cooperative Society are central and crucial to the welfare support system we intend to drive in the next two years for the benefit of our members.' Other members of the new executive are Abidoye John, Vice Chairman; Oluwanike Omotayo, Secretary; Maria Akinrata-Bolorunduro, Treasurer; Charles Gilbert-Ojo, Publicity Secretary; Grace Oguntoyinbo-Suluka, Financial Secretary; Adebola Adegoroye, Welfare Secretary; J.D. Akeredolu, Assistant Secretary; Ojimba Michael, Social Secretary; and Omolayo Akintan, Provost.