The Taraba State High Court has officially adopted the Nigerian Case Management System, NCMS, Legal Mail, and E-Filing Application System as part of efforts to modernise judicial processes and enhance justice delivery in the state.
The Chief Judge of Taraba, Justice Joel Agya, announced the development on Wednesday during a roundtable stakeholders’ discussion on the enrolment and onboarding of the court into the NCMS and related digital platforms in Jalingo.
Justice Agya said the initiative reflects the judiciary’s commitment to embracing technology for greater efficiency, transparency, and timely dispensation of justice.
“This initiative represents more than a technology upgrade; it is a commitment to efficiency, transparency, and timely justice delivery. We have started a pilot programme to digitise court proceedings in the state, beginning with the Chief Judge’s court,” he said.
He explained that judiciary staff, including judges, registrars, litigation officers, and clerks, had undergone training on the e-filing system.
The plan, he added, is to gradually roll out digitised courtrooms across all high courts and lower courts in phases, with urban centres prioritised due to better infrastructure.
Justice Agya emphasised that the success of the reform depends on collaboration among stakeholders, describing the roundtable as a crucial platform to share ideas, identify challenges, and chart a clear path for smooth implementation.
He commended the National Judicial Council and the Judiciary Information Technology Policy Committee, JITPC, for their support and guidance.
In his remarks, the Chief Judge of Borno State and Chairman of JITPC, Justice Kashim Zanna, noted that Nigeria has invested millions of dollars in the implementation of NCMS, urging all state judiciary to embrace the innovation.
“This is the new world order, ICT. The new technology will enhance judicial service delivery, reduce workload for judicial staff, and improve overall efficiency in the justice sector,” Zanna said.
Also speaking, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Taraba State, Yakubu Maikasuwa, SAN, described the initiative as a “watershed innovation” by the Chief Judge.
“The world is changing fast, and we cannot afford to be left behind. The state government is committed to supporting innovations that improve service delivery and align the judiciary with global best practices,” Maikasuwa added.