Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba on Monday launched a portal for the e-filing of criminal cases through the Nigerian Case Management System (NCMS)  at a Go-live ceremony in Jalingo.

Represented by the secretary to the state government, Timothy Kataps, the governor described the initiative as a historic milestone that demonstrated the state government’s commitment to strengthening institutions, deepening the rule of law, and promoting effective governance.

Mr Kefas described the initiative as the first of its kind in the state, noting that it represented a foundational step toward the full deployment of a comprehensive case management framework within the Taraba High Courts.

He pledged the government’s continued support for the modernisation of the judiciary, emphasising that technology remains a key tool for achieving swift, fair, and transparent justice.

Mr Kefas pledged to provide the necessary resources and infrastructure to sustain the ongoing judicial reforms.

“I commend the Taraba State Judiciary, which has taken a major step toward digital transformation with the official launch of NCMS and the e-filing portal.

”It is an initiative aimed at modernising court processes, improving case management, and ensuring faster and more efficient delivery of justice,” he said.

In his remarks, Justice Joel Agya, chief judge of Taraba, described the initiative as a proactive move to transition the judiciary from manual operations to a modern technology-driven system.

Mr Agya explained that the e-filing portal would enable electronic filing of originating processes and subsequent applications.

He also said the process would improve case tracking and monitoring from filing to final determination, and significantly reduce delays associated with manual registry procedures.

The chief judge noted that the system would enhance the security, integrity, and accessibility of court records while promoting better docket control and time management by judges.

According to him, the platform is designed to support, rather than replace, judicial decision-making, ensuring that administrative processes no longer hinder the delivery of timely justice.

In his keynote address, the chief judge of Borno, Justice Kashim Zannah, described the introduction of e-filing in Taraba as a welcome development.

Mr Zannah noted that the initiative reflected the judiciary’s resolve to embrace innovation and modern tools to address long-standing challenges in court administration.

Meanwhile, the Taraba chief judge earlier signed the Taraba State High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2026, and the practice direction on the e-filing of criminal cases in the state’s high courts.

(NAN)