Nigeria’s judiciary has entered a transformative phase as the Federal High Court, FHC, officially signalled the end of the manual era with the launch of its electronic filing system in the Lagos Division.
At the inaugural ceremony, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John T. Tsoho, declared that the shift to e-filing is no longer optional but a categorical necessity for modern justice delivery.
Justice Tsoho emphasised that the initiative is aimed at strengthening transparency while eliminating systemic vulnerabilities tied to physical documentation, 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,” Justice Tsoho stated.
Digital system to end delays
The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court explained that the e-filing platform creates a digital footprint for every court process, effectively eliminating backdating and curbing unofficial interference in the filing system.
“The court registry no longer closes at 2:00 p.m. Litigants can file from any location with internet access.
According to him, “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.”
The e-filing system is expected to significantly accelerate judicial processes while improving accountability across court operations.
NBA backs reform, states urged to follow
Throwing its weight behind the initiative, the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, through the Chairman of the Surulere Branch, Mr. Anene Nwadukwu, expressed strong support for the digital transition.
Nwadukwu noted that embracing Federal the system is critical to sustaining Lagos as a centre of excellence in legal service delivery.
Also lending credence to the reform, the Chairman of the Judicial Information Technology Policy Committee and Chief Judge of Borno State High Court, Justice Kashim Zannah, recounted how digitalisation preserved court records during a devastating flood 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.
He added that while several states have embraced digital systems, others must urgently follow suit to align with evolving judicial standards.
