Some lawyers have expressed optimism that the virtual hearing method introduced by the Lagos judiciary will speed up the dispensation of justice.

They disclosed this in separate interviews on Friday in Lagos.

They spoke against the backdrop of the N30,000 virtual hearing fee per session announced on March 28 by the chief judge of Lagos, Justice Kazeem Alogba.

Malachy Ugwummadu, a former national president of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, described it as gratifying to find a way around adopting technology to deal with some clauses affecting the dispensation of justice.

Mr Ugwummadu said Mr Alogba had the constitutional power to make rules for regulating the practice and procedure of the High Court of Lagos in accordance with section 274 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria ( 1999 as amended).

Mr Ugwummadu said the legality, constitutionality, and validity of the chief judge in making regulations were derived from the constitutional provisions that allowed him to announce the virtual fee.

He said there needed to be more space for escape by adopting technology and modern communication infrastructure as it further advanced the hierarchy of technological revolution, attending the process and procedure in court.

Mr Ugwummadu, however, described the introduction of the fee as a two-way street, saying that virtual hearings were more recognised in Lagos.

According to him, there is no escape route from adopting technology in the judicial practice, as it helps enhance access to justice.

However, Mr Ugwummadu urged the chief judge to consider human rights lawyers who took up pro bono cases.

Lagos-based lawyer Ige Asemudara also applauded the state judiciary for recognizing the need for virtual hearings of cases to speed up the process and adequately manage manpower.

Mr Asemudara, the founder of Mission Against Injustice in Nigeria, added that virtual proceedings would save cost for litigants.

He said virtual proceedings were basically introduced for speed and time management.

“Virtual proceeding was introduced because we needed to manage speed, time and reduce cost. It is a good thing that the Lagos State Judiciary has taken a step further. 

“However, I am of the view that N30,000 is on a high side though we not forced to apply for it,” he said.

Another Lagos lawyer, Abdul Wahab, said an equitable amount of money should be fixed for a virtual hearing.

Mr Wahab said that virtual hearing had made it easy for elderly people who could not afford the time and energy to give their evidence in the comfort of their homes.

He, however, said the price should be reduced to boost accessibility.

(NAN)