The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Akure Branch, has called on the Ondo State Government to deploy more legal officers to the state’s security outfit, Amotekun Corps, to strengthen the review of criminal charges and other court processes.
The association said additional lawyers from the state Ministry of Justice would help ensure that cases initiated by the corps comply with legal requirements while protecting the rights of suspects.
The branch made the call in a communiqué issued after its monthly meeting at the Aare Afe Babalola Bar Centre in Akure.
The statement was signed by the branch chairman, Oju Kekemeke, and its secretary, Oluwanike Omotayo.
According to the NBA, the proposed deployment of more legal practitioners to Amotekun would improve the scrutiny of charges and court documents before they are filed.
It said the measure would promote adherence to applicable laws and safeguard the rights of all persons involved in criminal proceedings.
Amotekun, established in January 2020 by the six South-West states, was created to complement conventional security agencies in tackling kidnapping, banditry and other security challenges in the region.
The states are Ondo, Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Osun and Oyo.
The NBA said strengthening the legal capacity of the corps was necessary to ensure that its operations and prosecution of suspects remained within the framework of the law.
NBA raises concerns over e-filing system
The association also expressed concern over the implementation of the electronic filing system in Ondo State, describing the process as burdensome for legal practitioners.
It noted that lawyers were still required to submit physical copies of court documents after uploading them electronically and making the necessary payments.
The branch argued that the arrangement undermined the purpose of introducing technology into court administration, which was to simplify procedures and reduce delays.
It called for a fully electronic filing system that would eliminate the need for lawyers to submit duplicate physical documents.
The NBA proposed that where hard copies are required for court records or service on parties, the court registry should generate them directly from documents already uploaded on the platform.
The association also urged the judiciary to exempt urgent ex parte applications from mandatory electronic filing, noting that such applications often require immediate attention.
It said the current process could frustrate the timely handling of urgent matters and undermine the effectiveness of judicial intervention.
Plans engagement with Chief Judge
The NBA Akure Branch disclosed plans to engage relevant judicial stakeholders on the challenges associated with electronic filing.
It said it would seek a meeting with the Chief Judge of Ondo State, senior members of the Bar and former chairmen of the branch to discuss possible solutions.
The association maintained that reforms were necessary to ensure that technology improved the administration of justice rather than creating additional obstacles for lawyers and litigants.
It called for a more efficient system that would reduce unnecessary procedural burdens, improve access to justice and ensure that court processes were handled promptly.
The branch said it remained committed to engaging relevant authorities to address the concerns and promote a more effective justice delivery system in Ondo State.
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