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The Ekiti State Judiciary has commenced steps to integrate its High Court into the Nigerian Case Management System, NCMS, a nationwide digital platform designed to modernise court operations, improve transparency and reduce delays in the administration of justice.
This was revealed on Monday in Ado-Ekiti at a roundtable stakeholders’ discussion on the enrolment and onboarding of the Ekiti State High Court into the Nigerian Case Management System (NCMS) legal mail and e-filing application, organised by the Ekiti State Judiciary.
In his remarks, the Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Hon. Justice Lekan Ogunmoye, said the judiciary had already taken significant steps toward onboarding the High Court into the NCMS, including compliance with technical requirements set by the Judicial Information Technology Policy Committee (JITPO).
He disclosed that the state judiciary had established a data centre, installed local area networks, provided computer systems and conducted training for judges and court personnel, while some ICT staff had undergone advanced training at the NJC in Abuja.
Justice Ogunmoye explained that the NCMS would streamline court processes through features such as case tracking, document management, automated alerts and analytical reporting, which he said would help reduce delays, curb corruption and enhance judicial performance.
He added that steps were underway to amend court rules to accommodate electronic filing, while complementary services such as e-affidavit and e-probate platforms were also being introduced.
In his words: “Today’s event is another key component of the project as it aims to sensitise major stakeholders and the general public to the Nigerian Case Management System (NCMS) to encourage them to buy into the project. We hope that by the end of the e-filing demonstration, participants will have experienced firsthand the transformative impact of the NCMS.
“For this initiative to succeed, however, we need all stakeholders on board. Judges, lawyers, court staff, the Bar Association and the Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service must work together seamlessly. Training and sensitisation are key. We must address concerns, build capacity and ensure everyone is comfortable with the new system.
“The three branches of the Nigerian Bar Association in Ekiti State and the Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service both have critical roles in mobilising support and providing feedback. By creating a culture of collaboration and innovation, we can together make the Ekiti State Judiciary a model for others to follow, showcasing the power of technology in delivering justice efficiently and effectively.
“The digitalisation of judicial processes is no longer a luxury but a necessity. In Today’s fast-paced world, technology has transformed how we live, work and access services. The judiciary is no exception. The wheels of progress are turning, and the train of digitalisation is leaving the station. It is time for the Ekiti State Judiciary to join the league of forward-thinking states and board this train. On our part, we wish to note that in addition to the NCMS, which is a work in progress, we have also subscribed to the provision of e-affidavit services by a high-tech firm, Cinfores Limited, to be followed by e-probate services in due course.”
In his speech, the Chief Judge of Borno State and Chairman of the Judicial Information Technology Policy Committee of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kashim Zanna, urged judges to embrace the transition despite initial discomfort, describing the shift as necessary for both institutional efficiency and personal well-being.
The Borno Chief Judge also tasked lawyers to prepare for an irreversible shift towards digital legal practice, advising them to upgrade their skills and invest in basic technology such as laptops and case management tools.
“Our justice system has been paper-based, and that no longer guarantees effective and efficient justice delivery. Nigerian society is already accustomed to faster services, from banking to travel bookings, and the judiciary cannot afford to remain analogue.
“They may be moving out of their comfort zone, but it is for good. Their health will benefit, the work will benefit, and the confidence our people repose in the courts will improve.
“This is the future. There is no going back. Lawyers must upskill, learn how to file cases, prepare documents and conduct proceedings electronically.
“We are very encouraged by the enthusiasm displayed here in Ekiti State, and very soon they will be on board. Lawyers will thereafter be able to file their cases from any location, and judges too can do their work from anywhere, sometimes not even needing to come to court at all from the beginning of a case to the end, so that our people can have confidence in our justice system and get the justice they deserve.”
Also speaking, the Ekiti State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dayo Apata (SAN), described the NCMS as a critical national reform aimed at strengthening efficiency and accountability across courts.
He noted that the system aligns with the constitutional mandate of the National Judicial Council (NJC) to ensure effective administration of justice and promote uniform standards across federal and state judiciaries.
According to Apata, the digital platform will enable electronic case management from filing to final disposition, reduce reliance on manual processes and improve access to reliable judicial data.
“The Nigerian Case Management System (NCMS) is a national judicial reform initiative designed to improve case management, reduce delays, enhance transparency and strengthen accountability within the justice system.
“The Nigerian Case Management System (NCMS) is a digital platform developed to improve the efficiency, transparency and effectiveness of court operations in Nigeria. It forms part of ongoing justice sector reforms aimed at addressing delays in case handling, record management and limited access to reliable judicial data.
“The NCMS enables courts to manage cases electronically from filing to final disposition. By automating key judicial and administrative processes, the system reduces reliance on manual, paper-based procedures and enhances the overall delivery of justice,” he added.
Ekiti judiciary moves to integrate High Court into Nigerian Case Management System
