By Bayo Akinlade Esq
As far back as 2012 I have engaged with the Lagos State Judiciary on the issue of e-filing
What I find the most offensive is the deceit in promoting the e-filing system as an efficient and corrupt free mechanism.
Recently I had to physically go to the magistrate court to find out the status of a file.
My client had been served with a court process and I needed to find out the court that the matter was to be heard.
To my surprise I was informed that the case was not on the registry record even though it was filed online through COMIS.
I discovered that the process was not in the registry’s record because the Lawyer who filed it was required to physically come to court to ” Open a File ” …. How ridiculous is that!
I don’t have to say much about the JIS because as far as I am concerned it is a complete failure.
I started practice in 2001 and I recall that you could file a process and get a suit number and the court within 2 days.
In Ogun State today you can file a process and get a suit number on the same day but with our e-filing system in Lagos it may take weeks and even months to get the process finalized and you will still visit the registry for one thing or the other.
In the genZ parlance our e-filing system will be called a SCAM.
What is the solution to this problem because it is obvious that the existence of the challenges we face in this e-filing regime benefits a few people.
Unless the Judiciary is willing to be transparent and the Bar is ready to be vigilant we will never move forward in this profession.
I can only say that our justice system is quickly becoming relevant for only a skit … At least let’s get entertained by it’s gross inefficiency.
