Justice Eberechi Wike of the Court of Appeal has urged Nigeria’s judiciary to embrace digital transformation as a means to deliver quicker, more transparent and citizen-focused justice.
She made the call on Wednesday in Abuja at the Access to Justice Parley 2025, organised by the Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC). The event, themed “Justice, Security and Governance: A Unified Agenda for Nigeria’s Sustainable Development,” focused on innovation and reform in the justice system.
Justice Wike said that despite its strong traditions, Nigeria’s judiciary still faced delays caused by manual processes and systemic bottlenecks. She noted that digital tools such as e-filing, AI-driven analytics, and open data systems could transform how courts function.
“Technology can make case management faster, ensure transparency and rebuild trust between the people and the courts,” she said. “We have seen in Kenya, Rwanda and Brazil how digital reforms can strengthen—not replace—the judiciary’s integrity.”
Mr Bemshima Peter, CEO of DEVON Technologies Ltd., disclosed that his firm had installed digital systems in 29 courts across five states to improve case tracking and documentation. He said the intervention helped to resolve over 500 cases that would otherwise have faced prolonged delays.
PPDC Chief Executive, Mrs Lucy Abagi, in her address, stressed that justice reform must be a collective effort. “Every citizen, institution and leader has a role to play. Sustainable development is impossible without justice,” she said.
The event was sponsored by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).
