MANAGING FREE ACCESS OF INFORMATION IN DIGITAL ENVIRONMENT; CHALLENGES FOR ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT The purpose of this article is to provide an account for strategic ICT innovation strategies utilized and on the uses of ICT within the court and judicial data interchange. The rapid development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has opened up new opportunity to significantly improve the administration of Justice. The availability of web services, the use of electronic filing, the exchange of legal document electronically, the possibility of law and jurisprudence on-line are only some example spurring the judicial administration around the world to rethink their current functions and activities. ICT can be used to enhance efficiency, access, timeliness, transparency and accountability helping the judiciary to provide adequate services. However, as many empirical examples show, this is not always the case. The interaction between technology and highly regulated organizations, such as courts, may lead to unexpected negative results. Nigeria, with it different institutional setting allows the exploration of wide range solutions that can be implemented to support the administration of Justice. Most importantly, it also provides opportunities for a unique insight into the dynamics and that may characterize the setting.