The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has said the ability of courts to admit and interpret electronic evidence is now critical to effective justice administration in Nigeria.
Fagbemi made the position known in Abuja during the public presentation of two legal publications by retired Justice Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye and the launch of the Justice Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye Educational Foundation for Indigent Students.
The books presented at the event were *Electronic Evidence, Second Edition* and *A Compendium of Cases on Electronic Evidence, Volume II*.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Beatrice Jeddy-Agba, the minister said technology had become central to modern communication, transactions and disputes.
According to him, Nigeria’s justice system must continue to adapt to the realities of a digital society where electronic records increasingly form part of litigation.
Fagbemi said the new publications would provide judges, lawyers and legal scholars with practical guidance on digital evidence and emerging legal issues.
He noted that the works would help keep justice delivery credible, current and responsive to changes in technology.
The minister also praised Omolaye-Ajileye for combining legal scholarship with humanitarian service through the launch of the educational foundation.
Fagbemi said the foundation aligned with the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding access to education and ensuring that financial hardship does not stop young Nigerians from pursuing learning.
He said the retired judge’s decision to turn personal experience into support for indigent students was a strong example of resilience and public-spirited service.
The AGF encouraged individuals, institutions and stakeholders to support the foundation, describing it as a worthy contribution to education and social development.
Also speaking, former Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Wole Olanipekun, SAN, expressed concern over the misuse of free expression on social media and other digital platforms.
Olanipekun said Nigeria’s justice system must be better equipped to respond to cyber abuse, online defamation and other technology-driven offences.
He called for stronger attention to the Cybercrimes Act and urged lawyers and academics to support reforms that would improve the handling of digital offences.
The senior lawyer commended Omolaye-Ajileye, whom he described as one of his mentees, for contributing to the development of electronic evidence law in Nigeria.
Former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, also spoke at the event, urging security and anti-corruption agencies to intensify efforts to recover looted funds kept outside Nigeria.
Agabi called on the Department of State Services and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to support efforts aimed at repatriating stolen public funds.
He said recovering such assets was important for restoring public trust and protecting the country’s future.
Agabi also urged judicial officers to defend the image of the judiciary collectively, saying the institution should not leave individual judges to face public misconceptions alone.
He described Omolaye-Ajileye as a man of integrity whose career showed that public office could be held without compromising ethical standards.
In his remarks, Omolaye-Ajileye said he was motivated to write the books because of the growing importance of electronic evidence in Nigerian courts.
He also raised concern over what he described as inconsistencies in amendments to the Electoral Act, particularly in relation to technology and election procedures.
The retired judge said his foundation was inspired by his personal experience and desire to help indigent students overcome financial barriers to education.
According to him, no student should be denied quality education or the opportunity to develop their potential because of poverty.
He appealed to well-meaning Nigerians and institutions to support the foundation so it can reach more underprivileged students.
The event was attended by justices of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, Federal High Court, senior lawyers, associates of the author, family members and other stakeholders in the justice sector.
Legal experts at the gathering said the growing role of technology in court proceedings made electronic evidence, digital records and cybercrime jurisprudence indispensable to modern justice administration in Nigeria.
