• The Federal High Court has launched its electronic filing system in the Lagos Division
• The move marks a major shift from manual, paper-based court processes to digital filing
• Chief Judge Justice John T. Tsoho said the reform would improve speed, transparency and accountability

The Federal High Court of Nigeria has launched its electronic filing system in Lagos, marking a major step in its transition from manual, paper-driven court processes to a faster and more transparent digital system.

The new e-filing platform was formally unveiled on Monday, April 27, at the Lagos Division of the court, where the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John T. Tsoho, described the reform as both necessary and long overdue.

Speaking at the inauguration, Justice Tsoho said the court was making a deliberate break from the inefficiencies that have long slowed justice delivery.

“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 explained that the digital platform would improve transparency, speed up court processes and remove many of the risks associated with physical documentation, including loss, tampering and damage.

According to him, every activity carried out on the platform would leave a traceable digital footprint, making it harder to manipulate court processes or bypass official procedures for personal gain.

“The court registry no longer closes at 2 pm. 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,” he said.

Justice Tsoho added that legal practitioners must also adapt to the new digital process to fully benefit from the reform.

“Lawyers are encouraged to adopt digital signatures and utilise the e-Affidavit platform for documents requiring a commissioner for oaths,” he stated.

Also speaking at the launch, Chairman of the Judicial Information Technology Policy Committee, Justice Kashim Zannah, stressed the importance of digital systems in preserving judicial records and ensuring continuity during emergencies.

He cited the experience of Borno State during the Maiduguri flood disaster as proof of the value of cloud-based court systems.

“All the registries were flooded and destroyed during the Maiduguri flood disaster. 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.”

Justice Zannah noted that states such as Borno, Bayelsa, Delta, Niger and Taraba had already embraced similar judicial technology and urged others to follow suit.

“Other states such as Ekiti, Ebonyi, and Ogun should also key into this transformation,” he urged.

The Nigerian Bar Association also backed the initiative, with the Chairman of the Surulere branch, Mr Anene Nwadukwu, describing digital innovation as critical to sustaining Lagos’ reputation as a leading hub for legal services in Nigeria.

Oil and Gas: NCDMB unveils digital portal to fast-track oil sector compliance, unlock funding

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) launched a new digital portal designed to automate the issuance of compliance certificates for contractors and operators within Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

Representing the Board’s Director of Finance and Personnel Management, Mr Ossa Uchendu, the Manager of Finance and Accounts, Mr Desmond Awumade, described the portal as a transformative development for the sector.

The initiative is positioned as a major step toward transparency, accountability, and improved industry financing.