The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Akure Branch, has called for urgent reforms to address poor courtroom facilities and other systemic challenges affecting legal practice and justice delivery in Ondo State.
The branch also expressed concern over the implementation of electronic filing, saying the system, which was introduced to make court processes faster and more efficient, had instead created additional difficulties for lawyers.
The concerns were raised by the newly inaugurated branch chairman, Oju Kekemeke, in his inaugural address titled “The Hour of Duty Has Clocked”, made available to journalists on Monday.
Kekemeke was inaugurated alongside other members of the new executive during a ceremony held on Saturday in Akure.
He said lawyers in Akure and other parts of Ondo State were practising in an environment hampered by both infrastructural deficiencies and systemic challenges.
“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,” he said.
The NBA chairman said his administration would push for improvements in electronic filing, case assignment and case management, as well as other processes connected with the Court Management Information System.
He also advocated electronic recording of court proceedings, arguing that the measure would ease the workload of judges who currently rely on handwritten records during proceedings.
Kekemeke commended the Ondo State Government for its intervention in the construction of a new High Court complex but urged the judiciary to improve the condition of existing courtrooms.
He described the state of some courtroom facilities as unacceptable and inconsistent with the dignity associated with the legal profession.
“The dilapidated courtroom facilities do not represent our honour, dignity and nobility,” he said.
Kekemeke linked the condition of judicial infrastructure to the broader question of financial autonomy for the judiciary, promising that the Akure branch would continue to support the principle while monitoring its implementation by the executive and judicial arms of government in the state.
Beyond court infrastructure and technology, the NBA chairman identified delays in processing Certificates of Occupancy and perfection of title documents as other areas requiring intervention.
He also raised concerns over alleged exploitative practices at court and police registries, as well as the implementation of the lawyers’ remuneration order.
According to him, the branch would engage relevant stakeholders in efforts to resolve the identified challenges and improve the environment for legal practice in the state.
On the welfare of members, Kekemeke said his administration would establish sustainable structures aimed at improving lawyers’ wellbeing.
He identified the full implementation of the branch’s welfare scheme and the strengthening of the NBA Akure Cooperative Society as key components of the welfare agenda for his two-year tenure.
“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,” he said.
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.
