By Anthony Ochela, Abuja
Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun said the judiciary has become a major focus of cyber attacks as a result of sensitive case files, personal information and classified government data at its disposal.
Justice Kekere-Ekun stated this yesterday at the opening session of a hybrid national workshop for Information and Communication Technology, ICT, staff of various courts in the country, organised by the National Judicial Institute, NJI, in Abuja.
The CJN warned that with the adoption of digital innovations to enhance the efficiency, accessibility and transparency of court processes, “we must also recognise the risks associated with online systems, particularly cyber threats and data breaches.”
She stressed that strong cybersecurity frameworks must be implemented to safeguard judicial data from unauthorised access, hacking and corruption.
According to her, “Judicial ICT staff must be trained in cyber security’s best practices, encryption technologies and secure data storage solutions.
“Protecting the integrity of court records is paramount, as any compromise could have far-reaching legal and national security implications.
“It is important to acknowledge that the National Judicial Council has taken various proactive steps to ensure that the judiciary keeps pace with technological advancements.
“One of such initiatives is the Judiciary Information Technology Policy, JITPO, which has provided a framework for the deployment and utilisation of ICT in our courts.
“This policy is currently undergoing revision to incorporate emerging digital trends, address identified gaps and ensure its continued relevance in enhancing the efficiency and security of judicial processes.
“The ongoing efforts to refine JITPO underscore the judiciary’s commitment to continuous improvement in the adoption of technology for justice delivery.
“Digital transformation in the judiciary cannot be achieved in isolation. It requires collaborative partnership between the judiciary, legal practitioners, technology experts, policymakers and international organisations.”
Highlighting some of technology’s advantages in the administration of justice, the CJN decried that most courtrooms have limited access to reliable internet connectivity.
She insisted that to bridge this gap, the judiciary must prioritise capacity-building initiatives that equip judicial officers and ICT personnel with the requisite skills to operate digital systems effectively.
Kekere-Ekun added that training workshops such as this serves as a cornerstone for continuous learning, ensuring that all stakeholders are adequately prepared to navigate the digital future of the judiciary.
In his welcome address, the Administrator of the NJI, Justice Salisu Abdullahi said the workshop with the theme, ‘The Digital Evolution of Judicial Systems: Technology, Access and Efficiency,’ underscored the role of digital technologies in modernising and strengthening the judicial system.
Justice Abdullahi emphasised that the aim of the annual workshop is to equip court personnel with the necessary skills and knowledge to keep pace with technological advancements and to ensure that they can effectively leverage technology in their roles, thus contributing to a more efficient and modem judicial system.
