From Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto
The Nigeria Bar Association, (NBA) Sokoto State branch, at the weekend, began Information Communication Technology (ICT) training for judges of High Court and the justices and Khadis of the Shariah Court of Appeal.
Addressing participating Judges and Khadis in her opening remarks, the Sokoto State NBA chairman, Barrister Rashidat Muhammad, said the NBA will continue to partner Sokoto judiciary to ensure that it gets peoples commendation and appreciation.
On why the knowledge and application of ICT has become imperative in the 21st century, Muhammad said adoption of ICT in the dispensation of legal proceedings will save cost, reduce insecurity, waste of time and other precious resources.
“”Judges and Khadis in Sokoto State are computer literate, but there is the need to improve on what was known before. And the NBA under my leadership will give the necessary support to the judiciary to ensure that they sustain their successes””, the NBA chairman reiterated.
Giving his support to the ICT compliance stand for Judges and Khadis, a law Professor from Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Ibrahim Abdullahi, who is also the state chairman Continued Legal Education Committee, commended the foresight of NBA Sokoto chapter, saying the training was very apt considering the security, social, political and economic problems facing the nation.
Professor Abdullahi also noted that the application of ICT in proceedings will help to improve job performance, protect data and share knowledge.
On his part, a Professor of Commercial Law and ICT, Ibrahim Shehu Bakori, who is the sponsor of the training, said they have to move with the time to remain relevant in an ever-changing world.
Before declaring the ICT training for Judges and Khadis open, Sokoto State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Muhammad Saidu Sifawa represented by Justice Abubakar Adamu said the ICT training ought to be for all judges and Khadis not only the newly appointed ones.
“”ICT has become necessary for every Judges and Khadis to embrace as it help fasten legal proceedings. This was why in 2020 the State Chief Judge ordered a state practice direction allowing judges and Khadis to conduct proceedings virtually and no any other order has been given to the contrary, hence it still stands.
“”We have now moved from the analogue era hence the need to either embrace the ICT or in no distance time you become obsolete, adding the only way to distinguish yourself from the 15th century judges to the 21st century one is to constantly upgrade yourselves.”
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