COVID 19 AND THE IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY ON ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE IN NIGERIA

This dissertation critically examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the administration of justice in Nigeria, with a particular focus on the role of technology as both a response mechanism and a transformative force. The pandemic triggered widespread disruptions to judicial operations, including court closures, adjournments, and delayed access to justice, thereby revealing the systemic vulnerabilities within Nigeria’s traditional, face-to-face legal framework. In response, the judiciary introduced technological innovations such as virtual court hearings, electronic filing systems, and digital case management platforms. While these interventions facilitated continuity of legal proceedings during lockdowns, their adoption was impeded by infrastructural limitations, digital illiteracy, legal uncertainties, and socio-economic disparities—especially affecting marginalized groups in rural and low-income communities. The study employs a doctrinal research methodology, drawing upon statutory analysis, judicial decisions, academic literature, and comparative case studies from other jurisdictions. It explores the constitutional and procedural challenges surrounding digital justice, particularly the tension between technological innovation and the constitutional requirement for open and public hearings. Findings reveal that although technology holds significant potential to enhance judicial efficiency and access to justice, its uneven implementation risks reinforcing existing inequalities. The research concludes that for a resilient and equitable justice system to emerge, Nigeria must institutionalize legal reforms, invest in digital infrastructure, ensure inclusive access, and adopt a coordinated national policy on judicial digitalization. Ultimately, this study contributes to ongoing legal scholarship by offering strategic recommendations for embedding sustainable, rights-based technological innovations within Nigeria’s judicial processes, positioning the legal system to better respond to future crises while advancing justice in the digital age.