The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Akure Branch, has decried the poor working conditions and systemic challenges confronting lawyers in the handling of cases before courts in Ondo State.
The branch also raised concerns over infrastructural deficiencies and difficulties associated with electronic filing, case assignment and other processes within the state’s justice system.
The newly elected Chairman of the NBA Akure Branch, Barrister Oju Kekemeke, stated this in his inaugural address titled, “The Hour of Duty Has Clocked,” delivered during the inauguration of the branch’s new executive on Saturday in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
Kekemeke said the practice environment for lawyers in Akure and Ondo State remained challenging, both in terms of infrastructure and the administration of court processes.
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.”
The NBA chairman said his administration would pursue reforms aimed at improving the electronic filing system, case assignment, case management and other processes associated with the Court Management Information System.
He also advocated the introduction of electronic recording of court proceedings, saying such a system would enhance the administration of justice and reduce the burden of writing proceedings in longhand by judges.
“It is time to remove the heavy burden of writing in longhand by the judges of the Ondo State High Courts,” he said.
Kekemeke commended the Ondo State Government for its intervention in the construction of a new High Court complex but urged the judiciary to address the poor state of existing courtroom facilities across the state.
He said the dilapidated condition of some courtrooms was inconsistent with the dignity and nobility associated with the legal profession and the administration of justice.
“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,” he said.
The chairman pledged that the branch would continue to support financial autonomy for the judiciary while monitoring its implementation by the executive and judicial arms of government in the state.
He further identified delays in the processing of Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) and perfection of title documents, alleged exploitative practices at court registries, police stations and other government agencies, as well as the implementation of the legal profession’s remuneration order as other areas of concern.
Kekemeke said his administration would engage relevant stakeholders to find lasting solutions to the challenges confronting legal practitioners in the state.
On the welfare of members, he said the new executive would prioritise the establishment of sustainable structures to address the welfare concerns of lawyers in the branch.
“It therefore bears restating our commitment along the compass of our vision to drive a transformative era of sustainable growth and development.
“To that extent, we will prioritise the welfare of members of the NBA Akure Branch by establishing sustainable welfare structures to address the welfare concerns of our members,” he said.
He added that the full implementation of the branch’s Welfare Scheme and the recalibration of the NBA Akure Cooperative Society would form key components of the welfare support system of his administration over the next two years.
Other members of the newly inaugurated 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.
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