The Lagos State Government has said that the introduction of information technology had assisted in quality and quick dispensation of justice in the state.
The state Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Mr Lawal Pedro stated further that technology plays a vital role in transforming every aspect of human lives in which legal section is not an exception.
Lawal Pedro stated these in a message to the official launching of the Eko Laws Simplifier App held at Alausa, Ikeja.
Represented by Mr Olamide Ibrahim, the Commissioner for Justice said electronic filing of cases had greatly improved accessibility and delivery of Justice system in the state.
Pedro noted that considerable process made on digitalising and automating the court rooms enhanced efficiency of court proceedings and acceptable by all parties.
While acknowledging that the e-filing is not perfect yet, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria said that it has also made a significant impact in the sector.
According to him, Eko Laws Simplifier App provides easy access to residents to exercise their rights and responsibilities thereby reducing conflicts while social harmony prevails.
He was of the view that the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy is not just nurturing the future leaders in the state but driving the desired change in the society.
On her part, the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms Abisola Olusanya said that the team of Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy had done justice to the project.
She described the atmosphere among the LJLA like home coming adding it shows the high level of abundant talents in the state.
Olusanya noted that they have left an indelible mark in many projects while urging the heads of MDAs to deploy their fellows to the full capacity in the state citing the impacts they have made in Agriculture in particular.
In her contribution, the Legal Adviser to Governor Sanwo-Olu, Mrs Bukola Odoe believes Technology has come to stay saying it has helped many countries in terms of development.
She said that she works smart rather than working so long due to the use of Artificial intelligence and Technology.
She however pointed out that the major challenge with Technology is human resistance to change adding some feels that it will lead to loss of jobs.
Odoe explained that human beings are still required to do a last minute checks on whatever Technology had assisted us to arrived at.
“People are also worried about data protection of their jobs while using Robots to do a lot of work. She advised lawyers to continue to develop themselves in technological space in order to be in touch with the ever changing world. Law is mot static but keeps evolving” she added.
During the panel session on enhancing access to justice through Technology, a legal consultant, Moyo Maku described law as the
bedrock of the society while Technology makes it easier for seamless application.
He said that securing justice during business engagements could also be made easier through Technology noting that it prevents workers from being molested or maltreated by their employees.
According to him, the Lagos State Government has been able to apply Technology in arresting some traffic offenders rather than the old practice of running after them.
He maintained that the speed to acces laws is now a game changer assuring that the residents can build a Lagos of our dream by decentralising access to justice citing the example of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency.
Moyo Maku clarified that the delay in getting feedback or the wide believe of not likely to get justice make some residents feel reluctant in accessing justice.
Another member of the panel, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi who is the Executive Secretary, Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency agreed that Technology plays pivotal roles in upholding the rule of law.
She disclosed that the Agency provides a lot of services to the residents through the use of Tweeter, now X.
According to her, the social media iis very instructive in exposing crimes committed somewhere while it takes one person to do a video and immediately goes viral.
Vivour-Adeniyi said that Technology encourages people to speak out the truth and put Government on their toes until the needful is done.
She said that government is doing a lot that people are not aware of which she said that the social media helps to amplified.
The Executive Secretary said that their mode of operations allow for anonymous petition or complaint in order to protect the image of the whistle-blower as the case may be.
Just last year, she noted that the Agency received 6,389 cases of domestic and sexua violence offences across the metropolis.
Further breakdown by her revealed that 3,813 were adult while 2,576 were children. From the total complaints received, 90% of the offences were carried out against women and ten committed against men.
Funmi Omoyele who spoke on the journey through Capstone: Eko Laws said it was a key component of activities in the Academy designed to proffer solution to numerous societal challenges.
