The Federal High Court of Nigeria has announced plans to commence the issuance of electronic affidavits (E-Affidavits) from July 1, 2024.
This development is part of a new policy aimed at enhancing the court’s processes and ensuring compliance with global best practices.
According to a statement signed by the court’s Chief Registrar, Sulaiman Hassan, the E-Affidavit regime is designed to ensure efficient, transparent, and prompt issuance of affidavits. The policy also seeks to protect the interests of litigants and other users who desire to use E-Affidavits.
Here are the key highlights of the policy:
All E-Affidavits will emanate from designated e-filing units of the court.
The E-Affidavit will be in an electronic format with specialized features approved by the court.
Applications for E-Affidavits must be made online through the court’s official website.
A task force will be set up to ensure the effective implementation of the policy.
The cost of each E-Affidavit will be determined by the Chief Judge.
The court clarified that the E-Affidavit will not replace manually sworn affidavits but will provide an additional option for court users. The aim is to ensure data protection in a user-friendly automated system.
The Practice Directions, issued by the Chief Judge, John Tsoho, will take effect from July 1, 2024.
This development is expected to improve the efficiency of the court’s processes and enhance the overall justice system in Nigeria.
