Emmanuel OchayiChief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola has applauded the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for its dedicated efforts in advancing awareness and knowledge of Information Communications Technologies (ICT) within the judiciary and the Nigerian public.
Speaking at the opening of the 2023 NCC-hosted annual workshop for judges on telecommunications issues in Kano on Monday, Justice Ariwoola emphasized the transformative role of information technology and telecommunications in the legal domain.
“Information technology and telecommunication services have surpassed the conventional method of court service delivery, as the use of the Internet is becoming a prominent feature of this era with innovative and interactive influences on the public, hence the crucial nature of the workshop.”
Addressing the theme, “The Adjudication Path in a Digital Era,” the CJN highlighted the need for the judiciary to adapt to technologies that have fundamentally transformed how legal proceedings are conducted. He added, “We are obliged to embrace this transformation while ensuring that doing justice remains at the forefront of our efforts.”
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The workshop welcomed the Chief Justice and other distinguished judges from various courts, including the Supreme Court, Appeal Court, Federal High, and States High Courts, providing them with insights into the ongoing review of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003 by the NCC.
Justice Ariwoola underscored the importance of addressing data privacy and information security law in the digital age. He urged judicial officers to assess the legal implications of data collation, storage, and utilization while striking a harmonious balance between fostering innovation and safeguarding privacy.
In his welcome address, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, expressed gratitude to the judiciary for their attendance and commitment to exploring the digital future.
He assured stakeholders of the NCC’s responsiveness to rapid changes in the telecommunications and technology sector, including the ongoing review of the NCA 2003.
Danbatta stressed the significance of the workshop in bridging the gap between the telecommunications sector and the judiciary, ensuring that the court system is seamlessly integrated into the digital economy.
He stated, “A safe and effective backbone infrastructure, as well as an efficient adjudicatory mechanism, which is easily accessible in the digital space, are required to instill societal confidence in the digital economy.”
In an interview on the sidelines of the workshop, Danbatta confirmed that the review of the NCC Act is ongoing and that the public presentation of the revised Act will involve critical industry stakeholders and the general public.
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