The Federal Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has stated that the capacity of courts to accept and analyze digital evidence is essential for ensuring fair judicial processes.
On Thursday, Fagbemi addressed an audience in Abuja during the launch of Electronic Evidence (Second Edition), a compilation of legal cases related to electronic evidence titled Volume 2 (covering 2020–2025). He also participated in unveiling the Justice Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye Educational Foundation aimed at supporting underprivileged students.
He praised Judge Ajileye for his efforts in advancing Nigeria's legal framework via his academic writings on digital evidence and his assistance to underprivileged students.
Led by the Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Beatrice Jeddy-Agba, Fagbemi highlighted that electronic and digital evidence has become essential for delivering justice in a world more reliant on technology than ever before.
"In this era, where dealings, interactions, and conflicts are predominantly carried out online or shaped by digital means, the capacity of our judicial system to accept and understand electronic proof has become essential for delivering fair justice," he stated.
The AGF stated that Justice Ajileye's scholarship has provided judges and legal professionals with the mental resources necessary to adjust to changing technological developments, thus enhancing the reliability of the judicial system.
He also commended the former judge for setting up an educational foundation aimed at supporting underprivileged students, calling the effort supportive of the federal government's initiatives to increase educational accessibility via programs like the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.
The head of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, stated that the agency continues to be dedicated to combating online scams, calling the actions of cybercriminals damaging to the nation's economic stability.
He mentioned that the anti-corruption body needs legal frameworks to facilitate the use of Artificial Intelligence in conducting inquiries and producing evidence.
During his comments, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) urged Justice Ajileye to broaden his study from digital evidence to Nigeria's Cybercrimes Act, noting that the legislation needed more thorough academic analysis.
In response, Justice Ajileye voiced worries about what he referred to as discrepancies in the Electoral Act concerning digital procedures.
He wondered why election workers were required to wait for network access during voter registration, but could swiftly switch from digital result reporting to paper-based methods when internet issues occurred.
The gathering included high-ranking members of the judiciary, lawyers, scholars, head of security agencies, and various interested parties.
Supplied by SyndiGate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).