Nigeria’s judiciary has taken a major step into the digital age with the Federal High Court formally launching its electronic filing (e-filing) system in the Lagos Division.
At the inauguration, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John T. Tsoho, said the shift from paper-based processes to a digital system is no longer optional but essential for efficiency and integrity in the justice system.
He noted that the reform is aimed at improving transparency and eliminating risks tied to physical files, including tampering, loss, and damage.
“For too long, the corridors of the Federal High Court have been synonymous with the physical weight of paper and mountains of case files.
“Today, we declare that era over. We are not just installing software; we are dismantling the barriers that have historically slowed the wheels of justice,” Tsoho said.
He added that the platform creates a verifiable digital trail for all filings, curbing practices such as backdating and undue interference in court processes.
“The court registry no longer closes at 2 p.m. Litigants can file from any location with internet access.
“The time for a file to reach a judge’s desk has been reduced from days to seconds. All filing fees are processed through integrated gateways, ensuring every kobo is accounted for by the federation.
“Lawyers are encouraged to adopt digital signatures and use the e-Affidavit platform for documents requiring a commissioner for oaths,” he added.
Also speaking, chairman of the Judicial Information Technology Policy Committee and Chief Judge of Borno state, Justice Kashim Zannah, highlighted the resilience of digital systems, citing a flood incident in Maiduguri.
“All the registries were flooded and destroyed. Yet, we did not lose a single case document because they were all safely stored in the cloud.
“While the physical courts were underwater, lawyers were still filing cases from their homes, and the business of the court moved on,” Zannah said.