NBA President Osigwe Hails Supreme Court’s Digital Reforms

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, has commended the Supreme Court for launching the Supreme Court Electronic Filing (E-Filing) System and the Nigeria Case Management System (NCMS), describing the move as a bold step towards modernising Nigeria’s justice delivery system.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony attended by members of the Bench, the Bar and other stakeholders in the justice sector, Osigwe said the judiciary had demonstrated its commitment to embracing innovation in an era where technology is reshaping institutions and professions.

“The Supreme Court has decided that it is better to innovate than to die,” he said, noting that the launch of the digital platforms reflected the need for institutions to continually evolve or risk becoming obsolete.

He explained that the invitation to the event immediately reminded him that organisations must adapt to changing realities to remain relevant, drawing parallels with Nokia, once a global technology giant that lost its market leadership after failing to evolve with technological changes.

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According to him, discussions on technological advancement in the administration of justice should naturally place the Supreme Court at the forefront of innovation through the deployment of technology to make justice more efficient, accessible and responsive to the needs of litigants and legal practitioners.

Osigwe described the Electronic Filing System and the Nigeria Case Management System as landmark developments in the ongoing digital transformation of Nigeria’s justice sector, adding that the legal profession is not exempt from the disruptive impact of technology.

“We either innovate or we die,” he remarked, stressing that embracing technology is no longer optional but an essential requirement for the future of legal practice.
The NBA president also highlighted the association’s commitment to digital transformation, revealing that it had relaunched the NBA Digital Stamp and Seal and introduced the NBA Digital Signature Studio to simplify legal practice, improve efficiency and strengthen the authenticity of legal documentation.

He assured the judiciary of the NBA’s full support for the implementation of the Supreme Court’s digital initiatives, disclosing that the association would organise awareness and capacity-building programmes to acquaint lawyers across the country with the new Electronic Filing System and ensure its seamless adoption.

Osigwe congratulated the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, GCON, the Justices of the Supreme Court, the Chief Registrar and the entire judiciary for what he described as a bold step towards modernising Nigeria’s justice delivery system.

He expressed confidence that the successful implementation of the Electronic Filing System and the Nigeria Case Management System would improve access to justice, enhance case management, reduce delays and align Nigeria’s judicial system with global best practices.