Lagos – An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) expert, Mr Abiodun Animashaun, on Wednesday advised the judiciary to embrace the use of technology, to enhance the nation’s legal system.
Mr Animashaun, the Managing Director of Braintech Technology, an ICT firm, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that technology was explorative and had the potential to bring the country at par with the situation in the advanced countries.
Animashaun said lawyers could outsource their legal services through technology.
“ICT is a weapon that cuts across all sectors globally, and is seen as a foundation for several innovations.
“The Legal system in Nigeria is seen by the common man as a hard nut to crack. In so many ways, it is not easily accessible and penetration seems rather difficult or even impossible.
“Legal advisory and other allied services can turn out sometimes to be a journey of no return for many.
“However, with technology, people can explore the online platform, apart from its physical record keeping aspect,’’ Animashaun said.
He said the rule of law was not comprehensible to the common man or easily approachable, due to inaccessibility of its professionals.
According to the managing director, technology is a tool for advancement in any sphere of life and should be given utmost priority, especially with the country’s diversification agenda.
“Just one technological innovation can enable us do the work of fifty ordinary men, though no technology can do the work of one extraordinary man.
“As technologists, we always try to understand that there is a way to do whatever we may be doing now much better.’’
Also speaking on the issue, Mr Femi Ibiwoye, a product development leader for Padelaw.com, an online community, said that the platform connected verified legal professionals with individuals, families, professionals and business owners in need of legal services.
Ibiwoye said that the platform had been of immense help to many in legal matters like contracts, privacy policy, non-disclosure agreements, patent application processing, and intellectual properties.
He said that the platform had been endorsed by the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), adding that it was just a little taste of how technology could assist the Nigerian Legal System. (NAN)