Delta launches bail management system to decongest prisons

The Delta State Government has launched the Bail Information Management System (BIMS) to speed up bail administration, improve the tracking of defendants and sureties and help decongest correctional centres across the state.

The initiative entered its pilot phase with the training of designated court registrars at the High Court Complex, Asaba.

The system is designed to capture and securely store the biometric records and fingerprints of defendants and their sureties, enabling proper identification, verification and tracking throughout the bail process.

‎The programme was organised by the Delta State Government in collaboration with the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme, implemented by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) and funded by the European Union.

‎Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Delta State, Ekemejero Ohwovoriole, SAN, said BIMS would significantly improve the administration of bail by automating processes that were previously handled manually.

‎Ohwovoriole explained that the system would facilitate the documentation, processing, tracking and verification of defendants and sureties, thereby reducing delays associated with bail applications.

‎He said the system would be deployed in both the High Court and Magistrates’ Courts, adding that its application could extend to other areas beyond litigation.

‎The Attorney -General noted that BIMS would provide judges with relevant information to assist them in exercising their discretion on bail applications, particularly by giving them access to a defendant’s previous bail history.

He stressed that prolonged pre-conviction detention was costly to both defendants and the state.

‎He added: “You will easily know if a person is a regular bail customer or has jumped bail previously.

‎Describing BIMS as a game changer in the administration of criminal justice in Delta State, Ohwovoriole noted that the system  had already been implemented in Lagos State.

‎Delta Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Tessy Diai, who was represented by Hon. Justice Briki-Okolosi, said the deployment of BIMS demonstrated the judiciary’s commitment to embracing digital solutions to enhance the efficiency of judicial processes.

‎Justice Diai said technology had become indispensable to modern judicial administration.

She added that the effectiveness of any technological innovation depended largely on the competence of personnel saddled with its operation.

‎She therefore described the training of designated registrars as a critical component of the pilot phase, noting that properly trained personnel would be essential to the successful implementation and sustainability of the system.

‎The Chief Judge commended the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice for supporting the initiative and ensuring that relevant officers were adequately trained to operate the system.

‎She also appreciated the RoLAC team and technical experts for their support and for providing the participants with the necessary knowledge and expertise.

‎RoLAC consultant, Mr. Musbau Famuyiwa, disclosed that seven court registrars had been trained under the pilot scheme.

‎Famuyiwa explained that BIMS was primarily designed for use by the High Court and Magistrates’ Courts, noting that the system would provide a more efficient and reliable mechanism for managing bail-related information.

End.