The Federal government of Nigeria has secured an arrest database where records of arrests by all security agencies are to be henceforth stored to facilitate the quick filing of charges and prosecution of offenders on federal offenses.
Launching the arrest database in Abuja on Saturday, September 3, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, expressed delight over the achievement.
Malami, who was represented by the solicitor-general of the federation, Mrs. Beatrice Jeddy-Agba, thanked the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption British Council (RoLAC) for their support to the Nigerian government.
The solicitor general recalled the resolve of Malami on the assumption of office to make a paradigm shift in the justice sector through the deployment of appropriate technologies to drive the administration of justice, The Nigerian Lawyer reports.
She said the AGF has worked with development partners to allocate the Q-Soft Denovo Court Recording System (CRS) in July 2021.
She further said that the Q-Soft Denovo (CRS), is a technology-based audio-visual recording and reporting database aimed at improving the speed and accuracy of court proceedings, thereby increasing the dispensation of justice, adding that in the same year the Ministry also launched two virtual courtrooms at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
In a statement by the AGF which was read by his representative, the AGF said “Again, the ministry launched its e-library. This has increased the law resources available to lawyers. Additionally, the Ministry is working to deploy a case management system. This system allows for real-time updates and quick access to case information when needed.
“It allows lawyers access their cases from any location. It allows for case tracking, court schedule, and instant transcript easier and less time-consuming, additionally, it allows for expediting the reporting of cases and improves transparency.
“Today with the support of ROLAC, the Ministry is launching its records of arrest in compliance with obligations of the AGF as stated in section 29(5) of the ACJA 2015.
The director of the Administration of Criminal Justice, Mrs. Ayoola Daniels explained that the records of arrest system will allow every relevant agency to upload their records of arrest with an approved passcode.
The director further hinted that the system will allow the AGF to see at a glance all current records of arrests at the federal level in line with Section 29(5) of the ACJA 2015.
She pleaded with other donor agencies to emulate ROLAC’s support towards justice sector reform for Nigeria to keep pace with international best practices.
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