The federal government says it is set to launch the pilot nationwide deployment and use of virtual court proceedings in Nigeria’s correctional centres.

Abubakar Malami, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, made this revelation through a statement issued Friday in Abuja, adding that the pilot project facilities will commence with the Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja, on December 6.

“Expected at the occasion are the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Halilu Nababa, as well as members of the Presidential Committee on Correctional Reforms and Decongestion.

“The Secretary of the Presidential Committee on Correctional Reforms and Decongestion, Leticia Ayoola-Daniels, working with the representative of the supporting organization, Mrs. Oyinye Ndubuisi of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), are working assiduously to ensure achievement of the laudable project.

“The initiative is one of the strategic interventions by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and indeed the Federal Government towards engendering lasting reforms in the Criminal Justice Sector in Nigeria,” he said.

Mr Malami said the ministry, in collaboration with the Presidential Committee on Correctional Reforms and Decongestion, are expediting engagement with the Nigerian Correctional Centres to make it possible for evidence of suspects in custody to be taken without their physical presence in court to avoid disruptions.

The development is part of the process to implement the Post-COVID-19 Justice Sector Plan, marshaled out by the AGF’s office in April 2020.

(NAN)