Firdaus Obiremi
The Chief Judge of Ogun State, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, and other senior judicial officers have urged magistrates across the country to embrace technological innovation, strengthen professional competence and improve case management to ensure faster, fairer and more effective justice delivery.
They made the call on Wednesday at the 2026 National Convention of the Magistrates’ Association of Nigeria (MAN), held at the Ceremonial Court, Judiciary Complex, Olipakala Village, Kobape Road, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The convention, themed “Strengthening the Magistracy for Effective Justice Delivery through Capacity Building and Innovation,” brought together judicial officers and other stakeholders to examine challenges confronting the magistracy and identify practical measures to strengthen the administration of justice.
Declaring the convention open, Dipeolu urged magistrates not to allow uncertainty surrounding promotion and career progression to undermine their commitment to their current responsibilities.
She said magistrates should recognise the importance of their positions and remain committed to delivering justice impartially, irrespective of their expectations of elevation to higher judicial offices.
“Your current position is not a waiting room for another appointment; it is an office of considerable responsibility in its own right,” she said.
The Chief Judge maintained that a magistrate who listens patiently, applies the law correctly, manages proceedings fairly and delivers well-reasoned decisions performs an invaluable service to society.
She stressed that judicial excellence required continuous professional development, urging magistrates to study decisions of superior courts, keep abreast of legislative developments, improve their legal research and judgment-writing skills, and participate actively in judicial education programmes.
According to her, the increasing complexity of legal disputes makes it imperative for judicial officers to update their knowledge and professional skills regularly.
“The quality of justice we deliver depends substantially on the quality of our preparation,” she said.
Dipeolu also identified technological advancement as a major factor reshaping the administration of justice, noting that electronic transactions, digital communications, cybercrime, online fraud and electronically stored records were increasingly presenting complex issues before the courts.
She said magistrates must acquire the necessary knowledge to evaluate electronic evidence, understand emerging technologies and apply relevant laws appropriately.
The Chief Judge, however, warned that technology must be deployed responsibly to improve judicial administration without undermining the fundamental principles of justice.
“Technology must serve justice, not compromise it,” she said.
She explained that innovation in the judiciary should go beyond purchasing computers and installing new software to include efficient case management, improved court scheduling, proper record-keeping, reduced unnecessary adjournments and better access to justice.
Dipeolu added that electronic filing, digital case management and virtual proceedings, where permitted by law and appropriate, could help reduce delays and improve the experience of litigants.
She also emphasised the importance of punctuality, proper planning of proceedings and effective management of court dockets, noting that these measures could improve efficiency even where resources were limited.
On institutional development, the Chief Judge disclosed that Ogun State had sustained its annual Magistrates’ Conference since its creation in 1976, recording 45 editions.
