TheCable

Walter Onnoghen, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), says e-mail will be the only means of communication of important information in Nigerian courts beginning from July 16.

He said this on Friday during the launch of the newly retrofitted court and legal email system at the supreme court, Abuja.

Onnoghen said this would basically be between judges, lawyers and court staff.

He said the measure is in line with the judiciary’s quest for excellence and to help in phasing out the manual forms of communication.

He also said such means of communication would help in achieving “confidentiality, integrity and availability” within the legal system.

“Henceforth lawyers who have acquired the legal e-mail can now communicate electronically with the courts and with each other,” the CJN said.

“However, by July 16, it becomes mandatory.

“The supreme court will only serve processes by electronic means. Hence all new filings as from July 16 must bear counsel’s legal email address.

“To ensure compliance, it is also imperative that all other heads of courts aquire the legal email addresses for their courts from the JITPO committee, especially for the litigation department staff.”

Onnoghen also encouraged all court’s in the country to start serving lawyers notices through email.

He added that the official email system also affects communication between the various judicial bodies in the country.

“The quick adoption of the system will enable us move forward to improve and implement the other components that depend upon it,” he said.

“We must all take ownership of this project. It must not fail.”