Lagos tops Nigeria in remote court hearings – Legal tech expert

The Lagos State Judiciary has continued to strengthen access to justice with an improved virtual hearing system designed to make court proceedings faster and more accessible to litigants and legal practitioners.

Mr Musbau Famuyiwa, the Chief Executive Officer of Global T&T New Solutions, disclosed this in Ikeja, at the January monthly meeting and knowledge-sharing session organised by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch.

Famuyiwa, a guest speaker, delivered a presentation titled “Virtual/Remote Court Hearing Made Simple: Saving Lawyers Time, Cost, Energy and Stress.”

He explained that the Global Remote Court (GRC) platform allows court proceedings to be conducted wholly or partly through digital case management and live video technology.

According to him, the platform enables judges, lawyers and litigants to participate remotely without physical presence in the courtroom.

Famuyiwa recalled that remote court hearings were formally introduced in Lagos State in 2020 following disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said the state high court subsequently issued a practice direction to regulate virtual proceedings, making Lagos the first state to adopt remote hearings in Nigeria.

Famuyiwa cited a landmark moment on May 27, 2020, when an Ikeja High Court delivered judgment virtually in a criminal case, sentencing one Olalekan Hameed to death for robbery and murder.

He said: “The judgment, delivered by Justice Mojisola Dada using the GRC platform, involved full participation of the judge, prosecution, defence counsel, defendant and witnesses.

“Under the updated process, a party seeking a virtual hearing can file a motion or make an oral application in court.

“Once granted, the court registrar generates payment details, after which the applicant makes payment and the case is scheduled.

“Parties then receive electronic hearing notifications and join proceedings via a secure link on the hearing date.”

Famuyiwa further said the judiciary noted that the updated process replaced the former multi-stage system, significantly reducing administrative delays and improving efficiency.

He listed key benefits of virtual hearings to include savings in time and cost, elimination of travel and waiting periods, increased accessibility for persons with disabilities or those outside the court’s jurisdiction, and faster case resolution.

According to him, the system also enhanced security, particularly in sensitive cases such as domestic violence, while improving witness participation and transparency through digital recording of proceedings.

“Virtual hearings are now applied across criminal trials, family cases, magistrates’ courts, customary courts and case management conferences.

“The judiciary has advised participants to observe standard court dress codes, join sessions promptly, use identifiable names and ensure good internet connectivity to maintain the dignity and effectiveness of virtual proceedings,” Famuyiwa said.