Management and Utilisation of Judicial Records in Federal High Courts in Northwestern States of Nigeria

This study investigates the Management and Utilisation of Judicial Records in Federal High Courts in the North Western States of Nigeria. The objective of the study is to determine how judicial records are organised and preserved in relation to their accessibility and effective utilisation by judicial officers. Qualitative research methodology is used for the study; interview and observation is the only instrument used for data collection. Four judges and four litigation officers were purposively selected from the four Federal High Courts in the zone for this study. The findings of the study show that there are different types of judicial records, which include case files, registers and cause books. Judicial records are organised according to subject matter and arranged in chronological order. The major problems associated with the utilisation of the records by judicial officers include lack of adequate and continuous power supply, minimal ICT facilities, space and preservation facilities in all the courts studied. Recommendations made include the need for digitalisation of judicial records, formulation of standard records preservation policy, and provision of storage facilities including electronic storage devices.