FHC goes digital, abolishes manual case filing in Lagos

n n

By Henry Ojelu

n

The Federal High Court on Monday formally phased out manual filing of court processes, with the launch of its electronic filing (e-filing) system in the Lagos Division.

n

Declaring the system open, the Chief Judge of the court, Justice John Tsoho, said the transition from a paper-based regime to a digital platform has become inevitable, stressing that the reform is aimed at boosting efficiency, transparency, and integrity in court administration.

n

He noted that the initiative eliminates long-standing bottlenecks associated with physical files, including tampering, misplacement, and delays, while creating a verifiable digital trail for all court processes.

n

“For too long, the corridors of the Federal High Court have been weighed down by mountains of paper. Today, that era comes to an end. This is not merely about software deployment but about dismantling barriers that have slowed justice delivery,” he said.

n

Justice Tsoho added that the new platform enables litigants to file processes remotely at any time, removing the traditional 2 p.m. registry closure constraint, while integrated payment systems ensure accountability of court revenues.

n

Reinforcing the policy thrust, Chairman of the Judicial Information Technology Policy Committee and Chief Judge of Borno State, Justice Kashim Zannah, described the initiative as a fundamental shift rather than a routine upgrade.

n

He said the adoption of technology in the judiciary aligns with the directive of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, who has consistently maintained that digital integration is no longer optional but mandatory in a modern justice system.

n

According to him, “technology is the bedrock upon which the future of Nigerian jurisprudence will be built,” warning that any judiciary that clings to outdated manual processes risks becoming a liability in an increasingly digital global environment.

n

Justice Zannah delivered a sweeping critique of the manual filing regime, describing it as inefficient and vulnerable to abuse, including file manipulation and unauthorised interference.

n

He said the e-filing platform eliminates such loopholes by creating real-time tracking and a secure digital footprint for every filing.

n

“The system removes backdating of processes and bypasses gatekeepers who seek to monetise access to the courts. Filing can now be done from anywhere with internet access, and the time it takes for processes to reach a judge has been reduced from days to seconds,” he said.

n

Providing practical guidance, Zannah urged legal practitioners to adopt digital signatures and seals, as well as utilise the e-affidavit platform for documents requiring certification, noting that such steps would eliminate the inefficiencies of manual signing and scanning.

n

He, however, clarified that hard copies of originating processes would still be required for service in line with existing procedural rules.

n

The Borno CJ also called for structural adjustments within law firms, advising senior lawyers to delegate e-filing responsibilities to junior counsel or dedicated ICT personnel to ensure efficiency and allow counsel to focus on core legal work.

n

Addressing the Bench, he stressed the need for judges to familiarise themselves with the system, even as he encouraged the delegation of routine administrative tasks to court registrars to improve workflow efficiency.

n

Justice Zannah acknowledged that the transition may initially pose challenges due to unfamiliarity but expressed confidence that with consistent use and stakeholder cooperation, the system would become seamless.

n

“No system is perfect. There will be initial difficulties, but with practice, adaptation, and feedback, the platform will evolve and improve,” he said, urging continuous input from users to refine the process.

n

He cited Borno State’s experience during a devastating flood in Maiduguri, where digitisation ensured that no court records were lost despite the destruction of physical registries, as a compelling case for reform.

n

The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, through Surulere Branch Chairman, Mr. Anene Nwadukwu, endorsed the initiative, noting that technology-driven reforms are critical to sustaining Lagos’ status as a centre of legal excellence.

n n