NBA Creates Platform To Combat Corruption In Courts

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja branch, has created an online platform to monitor corruption in the judiciary and impediments in courtrooms and their premises, such as inefficiency and non- or late-sitting of judges.

The branch secretary, Ayodeji Olabiwonnu, who made this public yesterday, said the new platform, “i-Witness,” is a feature of the association’s revamped website.

Olabiwonnu also explained that the initiative aims to enhance the branch’s collaborative efforts, the bench’s leadership, and other relevant bodies in combating all forms of inefficiency, corruption, and barriers to practice within the court systems, as well as in areas where lawyers work.

He further stated that the platform allows members to report incidents live, providing photographic and video evidence of bribe-seeking, neglect of duty, unwarranted delays in court sittings without notice and harassment of lawyers in our courts, registries, and security agencies.

Olabiwonnu maintained that the association’s executive committee is dedicated to making secretariat services more efficient while maintaining high transparency and accountability throughout all its activities and services to members.

Other new initiatives implemented by the branch include the operation of a fully digital secretariat and an upgrade of the branch website.

Olabiwonnu stated, “From now on, branch dues and other payments will be processed online. The days of wasting hours and resources in the Bar Centre to register payments and waiting longer to pick up receipts are over.

“Payments can now be made seamlessly from the comfort of our homes and offices. Electronic receipts are generated and issued instantly while the relevant officers collect necessary details in the background.

“The stress associated with the previous process, especially for our colleagues in-house, has now been eliminated,” he said.

Olabiwonnu added, “Another new feature of the upgraded branch website is the online application for letters of good standing. This process, from application to issuance, will be entirely contactless.

“We believe that our members needing letters of good standing, particularly those in the diaspora, can now breathe a sigh of relief thanks to this more efficient process,” he concluded.