Live Telecast of Judicial Proceedings as Means to Access to Justice in Nigeria: A Comparative Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.30996/dih.v0i0.131890Abstract
Any country's development, particularly that of its legal system, depends on having access to an open system of justice. The Nigerian justice system has been called weak, corrupt, and unreliable, which has made the public's mistrust of the court system worse. Thus, this paper interrogated the adoption of modern technology through live telecast of judicial proceedings as a means to access justice and restore the integrity of the Nigerian judiciary. It drew lessons from the UK, USA, South Africa, and India. The study used a doctrinal approach to legal research and a qualitative research methodology. The study found that the live telecast of court proceedings is constitutional when sections 36(3) and (4) are interpreted using a purposeful approach. Accordingly, the study came to the conclusion that live telecasts of court cases in Nigeria are possible. However, a few potential obstacles to its functioning in Nigeria include inadequate internet and power supplies, non-implementation of financial autonomy for the judiciary, absence of a specialized legal framework, and insufficient technological know-how of judicial personnel. The study made several recommendations, including giving the judiciary financial autonomy, passing particular legislation, enhancing internet and energy access, and providing judicial staff with ICT training.Downloads
References
Aidonojie, Paul Atagamen, Agbale, Omohoste Patience, Odojor, Oyenmwosa Anne, Ikubanni, Oluwaseye Oluwayomi, “Between Universalism and Cultural Relativism” African Journal of Law and Human Rights 5 (2021) 97
Aidonojie Paul Atagamen, Wakili, Saminu Abacha, and Ayuba, David, “Effectiveness of Administration of Justice in Nigeria Under the Development of Digital Technologies” Journal of Digital Technologies 1, no.4 (2023) 1105-1131
Aidonojie, Paul Atagamen, Majekodunmi, Toyin Afolabi, Ikubanni, Oluwaseye Oluwayomi, Oyebade, Alade Adeniyi, and Ibrahim Nathan, “The Causes of the Rising Incidence of Domestic Violence in Nigeria: Proposing Judicial Separation as a Panacea” Jurnal Hukum 38, no.2 (2022) 99-121
Aidonojie, Paul and Odojor, Oyenmwosa Anne, “Impact and Relevance of Modern Technological Legal Education Facilities amidst the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Case Study of Law Students of Edo University Iyamho” KIU Journal of Humanities 5, no.4 (2020) 7-19
Aidonojie, Paul Atagamen, Ikubanni, Oluwaseye Oluwayomi, and Nkuonghae, Nosakhare ‘The Prospects, Challenges, and Legal Issues of Digital Banking in Nigeria’ Cogito Multidisciplinary Journal 14, no.3 (2022), 186-209, 187
Aidonojie, Paul Atagamen, Ikubanni, Oluwaseye Oluwayomi, Oyedeji, Adefisayo, “The Challenges and Relevance of Technology in Administration of Justice and Human Security: Amidst the Covid-19 Pandemic” Cogito Multidisciplinary Journal 13, no.3 (2021) 150-151
Aidonojie, Paul Atagamen, Odojor, Oyenmwosa Anne, Ikubanni, Oluwaseye Oluwayomi, Oyebade, Alade Adeniyi, Oyedeji, Adefisayo Ifeoluwa, and Okuonghae, Nosakhare, “The Challenges and Impact of Technological Advancement to the Legal Profession in Nigeria Given the Covid-19 Pandemic” KIU Journal of Humanities 6, no.4 (2022) 5-19
Aidonojie, Paul Atagamen, Ikubanni, Oluwaseye Oluwayomi, Adebayo, Adesoji Kolawole, Olujobi, Olusola Joshua, and Mustafa, Mundu, “The Role of Digital and Scientific Technology in Complementing Global Legal Framework Towards Clean Energy Transition” Journal of Sustainable Development Law and Policy 15, no.3 (2024) 314
Akanbi, Muhammed Mustapha and Shehu, Ajepe Taiwo, ‘Rule of Law in Nigeria” Journal of Law, Policy, and Globalisation 3 (2012) 1-7
Anderson, Louise, “The Law and the Desert: Alternative Methods of Delivering Justice” Journal of Law and Society 30, no.1 (2003), 120-136, 136
Aniekwe Chukwunonso Augustus, “Legal Framework for The Use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) In the Nigerian Justice System: A Call for Review” International Journal of Comparative Law and Legal Philosophy 1, no.3 (2021) 145;
Bailenson, Jeremy N., “Nonverbal Overload: A Theoretical Argument for the Causes of Zoom Fatigue” Technology, Mind, and Behavior 2, no.1 (2021), 1–6
Bandes, Susan and Feigenson, Neal, “Virtual Trials: Necessity, Invention, and the Evolution of the Courtroom” Buffalo Law Review 68, no.5 (2020), 1275–1352
Berris, Peter G., ‘Overview of the Indictment of Former President Trump Related to the 2020 Election’ August 3, 2023. Available at < https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/LSB/LSB11016 >
Black, Henry Campbell, ‘Black’s Law Dictionary” (4th Edn., St. Paul, Minn, West Publishing Co., 1968) 1393
Chahal, Ajit Singh, “Virtual Access to Courtroom and Live Streaming of Judicial Proceedings in India: Constitutional Perspective and Emerging Judicial Trends” International Journal of Law 7, no.3 (2021) 135-143
Chang, Arthur, “Courts prepare for live broadcasting” Dec 4, 2023. Accessed from <https://www.boasecohencollins.com/blog/courts-prepare-for-live-broadcasting/
Derksen Daniel G., Giroux, Megan E., Connolly Deborah A., Newman, Eryn J., and Bernstein, Daniel M., “Truthiness and Law: Nonprobative Photos Bias Perceived Credibility in Forensic Contexts” Applied Cognitive Psychology 34, no.6 (2020), 1335–1344
E: National Judicial Council Covid-19 Policy Report: Guidelines for Court Sittings and Related Matters In The Covid-19 Period. Available at https://njc.gov.ng/30/news-details Accessed 6th May 2024
Eckman, Sarah J. & Lampe, Joanna R., ‘Broadcasting Federal Criminal Proceedings’, August 14, 2023. Congressional Research Services. Available at< https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IN/IN12220 >, accessed April 8th, 2024
Egielewa, Peter and Aidonojie, Paul Atagamen, ‘Media and Law: An Assessment of the Effectiveness of the Freedom of KIU Journal of Humanities 19 Information Act by Journalists in Nigeria Using Auchi, Edo State as a Case Study, International Journal of Current Research in Humanities 25 (2021), 415-434
Greenbaum, Lelsey, "Access to Justice for All: A Reality or Unfulfilled Expectations?" De Jure (2020) 248-266
Gupta, Siddharth R. and Sharma, Utkarsh, “Live Streaming N’ Courts: Accessible, Affordable and Accountable Judiciary [Part 2]” (SCC Times, 23rd June, 2021). Available at https://www.scconline.com/blog/post/2021/06/23/live-streaming-n-courts-accessible-affordable-and-accountable-judiciary-part-2/
Gwangudi, M. I., “Problems Militating against Women’s Access to Justice in Nigeria” University of Maiduguri Law Journal 5 (2002) 13-14
Ibekwe, Chineze Spohia and Onwuatuegwu, Chiugo, “ICT in the Administration of Justice: Challenges for Labour and Productivity” Nnamdi Azikiwe University Journal of Commercial and Property Law 8, no.1 (2021), 1-9
Ikubanni, Oluwaseye Oluwayomi and Aidonojie, Paul Atagamen, ‘The Legality of Virtual Marriage in Nigeria Given the Covid-19 Pandemic Social Distancing: An X-ray of the Matrimonial Causes Act’ Madonna University Law Journal 6, no.1 (2021) 123-129
Ikubanni, Oluwaseye Oluwayomi and Alabi, Mojeed A. Olujinmi, “The Yoruba People’s Quest for Self-Determination within the Nigerian Constitution” Fountain University Law Journal 1, no.1 (2024), 37-53
Ikubanni, Oluwaseye Oluwayomi, Fajemila, Oluwabusayo Deborah, Akinkoye, Toluwani David, Oluwalana, Sharon Sewa, Kolawole, Ifeoluwa Esther, Yakubu, Elizabeth Pohlolis, “Protecting the One Earth: An Examination of the Legal and Institutional Frameworks of Environmental Protection in Nigeria” Nnamdi Azikiwe University Journal of International Law and Jurisprudence 14, no.1 (2023), 137-147
Ikubanni, Oluwaseye, Oyebanji, Aderemi, and Oyebade, Adeniyi, “Legal Aspects of Granting Subjectivity to Artificial Intelligence: Prospects of Using Robots in Legal Practice in Nigeria” Journal of Digital Technologies and Law 2, no.4 (2024) 835
Innocent, Goli, “Falana, Tietie, Umukoro, Others Back Live Broadcast of Election Tribunal” (New Telegraph, 25th April, 2023). Available at https://newtelegraphng.com/falana-tietie-umukoro-others-back-live-broadcast-of-election-tribunal/ Accessed 3oth April 2024
Iredia Tonnie, “Televising Election Petition Proceedings in Nigeria”. Available at https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/04/televising-election-petition-proceedings-in-nigeria/ Accessed 24th April 2025
James, Alison Amanda "South Africa's Debut into Broadcasting Criminal Trials: The Legal Arguments in Televising the Oscar Pistorius Trial" Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal (2017) 1-21
Jimoh, Mujib Akanni, Advancing Online Dispute Resolution in Nigeria: Opportunities, Legal Challenges, and the Ways Forward, The Journal of Sustainable Development Law and Policy 11, no.2 (2020) 407-431
Legg M., and Song, Anthony, “The Courts, the Remote Hearing, and the Pandemic: From Action to Reflection” University of New South Wales Law Journal 44, no.1 (2021), 126–166;
MacKay, Wayne, Framing the Issues for Cameras in the Courts: Redefining Judicial Dignity and Decorum, 19 DALHOUSIE L.J. 139, 151-159 (1996),
Malik, Muneeb Rashid, “Live Streaming of Court Proceedings: A Substantial Step Forwards”. Available at https://loyalnigerianlawyer.com/live-streaming-of-court-proceedings-a-substantial-step-forward/ Accessed 30th April 2024
McIntyre, Joe, Olijnyk, Anna and Pender, Kieran, “Civil Courts and COVID-19: Challenges and Opportunities in Australia’ Alternative Law Journal 45 (2020) 195
Mohamad, Ani Munirah and Sule, Ibrahim, “ICT-Enabled Applications for Decision-Making by the Courts: Experiences from Malaysia and Nigeria” International Journal of Law, Government and Communication 6, no.22 (2021) 189–196;
Mokoena, Kgomotso and Keon, Louis, “Promoting Access to Justice Though the Broadcasting of Legal Proceedings” Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal 25, no. 1 (2022), 146-166
Moskvych, Lidiia, Modernization of Justice under the Influence of Innovative Technologies, Scientific Research in Modern Conditions of Instability, 2023
Nir. Esther, and Musial, Jennifer, “Zooming in: Courtrooms and Defendants’ Rights During the COVID-19 Pandemic” Social & Legal Studies 31, no. 5 (2022) 725–745
Oakes, Anne Richardson and Davies, Haydn, “Justice Must Be Seen to Be Done: A Contextual Reappraisal” Adelaide Law Review 37, no.2 (2016) 461-499, 461
Okogbule, Nlerum Sunday, “Access to Justice and Human Rights Protection in Nigeria: Problems and Prospects” Sur – International Journal of Human Rights 3 no.2 (2005), 94-113, 96-97
Olusaga, Olubukola and Davies, Abimbola, “Remote Court Proceedings in Nigeria: Justice Online or Justice on the Line” International Journal for Court Administration 13, no.2 (2022), 1-15
Oputa, Chukwudify Akunne, “Human Rights in the Political and Legal Culture of Nigeria” Paper delivered at the University of Benin, Nigeria. Nigerian Law Publications on 28th November, 1986
Oyebanji, Aderemi Olubunmi, Ikubanni, Oluwaseye Oluwayomi, Oyebade Alade Adeniyi, and Ololu, Tobi, “A Comparative Study of the Legal Framework of Trafficking in Person for Organ Removal in Nigeria and the United Kingdom” Unizik Law Journal 19, no.2 (2023), 1-9
Oyegbade, Hameed, “NBA President Calls for Live Telecast of Tribunal Proceedings” (DailyTrust Newspaper, 23rd March, 2023). Available at https://dailytrust.com/nba-president-calls-for-live-telecast-of-tribunal-proceedings/ Accessed 30th April 2024
Pise, Mohit Rameshrao, ‘Significance of Technology in Family Courts: An Analysis’ Journal of Family and Adoption Law 4, no.2 (2001), 1-5
Rattan, Jyoti and Rattan, Vijay, “Role of Information and Communications Technologies in the Metamorphosis of Justice Administration in India: A Legal Study” (Indian Journal of Public Administration 69, no.1 (2022), 115
Ravid, Itay, ‘Tweeting #Justice: Audio-Visual Coverage of Court Proceedings in a World of Shifting Technology’ Cardozo Arts & Entertainment 35.41 (2017) Available at < https://law.stanford.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Tweeting_Justice-Ravid.pdf >
Sanchez-Bayon, Antonmio, “Business and Labour Culture Changes in Digital Paradigm: Rise and Fall of Human Resources and The Emergence of Talent Development” Cogito Multidisciplinary Research Journal 12, no.3 (2020) , 225;
Sanson, Mevagh, Crozier, William, and Strange, Deryn, “Court Case Context and Fluency-Promoting Photos Inflate the Credibility of Forensic Science” Zeitschrift für Psychologie 228, no.3 (2020), 221–225
Shaikh, Jamil Ahmed and Mohyuddin, Anwar, Exploring Access to Justice Through Traditional Justice System” The Government: Research Journal of Political Science 8 (2019) 49-62
Siverstein, Duane, ‘TV comes to the Court’ NCJRS. Available at < https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/Digitization/47399NCJRS.pdf >
Tako Nyenti, Mathias Ashu, "Access to Justice in the South African Social Security System: Towards a Conceptual Approach" De Jure (2013) 901-916
Tietie, Frank, “The Demand for Live Broadcast of Court Proceedings is Long Overdue”. Available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRo81XZd3_8 Accessed 30th April 2024
Wallace, Anne, “E-Justice: An Australian Perspective” (IGI Global, New York, 2008) 204-228, 204
Yedav, Akshay Baburao and Mane, Shivanjali, “Online Streaming and Recording of Court Proceedings: A Constitutional Right” Indian Journal of Law and Justice 13, no.2 (2022), 171-189
Youm, Kyu Ho, Cameras in the Courtroom in the Twenty-First Century: The U.S. Supreme Court Learning from Abroad? 2012 BYU L. REV. 1989, 2025-2027 (2012).
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 DiH: Jurnal Ilmu Hukum
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with DiH: Jurnal Ilmu Hukum agree to the following terms:
- Authors transfer the copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a CC BY-SA 4.0 that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access)
