The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike, has approved the award of contracts for the digitisation of the FCT High Courts, with the project expected to commence within two weeks.

General Counsel and Mandate Secretary, FCT Legal Services Secretariat, Mr Salman Dako, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja after the FCT Administration Executive Council meeting chaired by Wike.

Dako said the approval was aimed at transforming the administration of justice in the territory by replacing the existing manual record-keeping system with a modern and automated judicial management platform.

He explained that the digital transformation project would cover 67 courtrooms across the FCT, providing the courts with electronic recording and case management facilities.

“The scope of this project is the digitalisation of the High Courts in the FCT, including digital transformation and implementation of an electronic court recording and case management system.”

Dako said the initiative would ensure that the High Courts transitioned from handwritten court records to digital documentation and electronic management of cases.

“Meaning that we are transitioning the High Court from manual recording to digital recording, and electronic case management,” he said.

He noted that the FCT judiciary had, over the years, faced challenges associated with handwritten court notes, manual filing procedures and the physical tracking of cases, which could contribute to delays in the administration of justice.

Dako explained that the newly approved contract was designed to address those challenges by introducing technology-driven processes capable of improving the speed, accessibility and organisation of judicial records.

“Transitioning to digital court management will resolve the persistent challenges linked to manual documentation and handwritten records,” he said.

He added that the system would also enable legal practitioners and litigants to embrace electronic case filing, thereby reducing dependence on physical documents and manual procedures.

“I believe that this will be a very great improvement for us. Some judicial divisions have already started this outside the FCT, so I think this is the future and it is time we go along this route,” Dako said.

He further disclosed that the contract period was two weeks, after which progress on the implementation of the digitalisation programme was expected to become visible.

He added that the initiative was expected to set a new benchmark for judicial efficiency and court administration in the nation’s capital.

NAN