By Ebere Agozie
The Attorney- General of the Federation (AGF), Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) and legal experts have identified the ability to admit and interpret electronic evidence in courts as indispensable.
They made the assertion at the public presentation of the two scholarly books on enforcement evidence and the launch of retired Justice Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye Educational Foundation for Indigent Students (JAOA-EFIS) on Friday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two books were `Electronic Evidence, Second Edition’, and ‘Conpendium of Cases on Electronic Evidence, Volume II.
Fagbemi, SAN noted that the importance of electronic and digital evidence in the nation’s legal architecture could not be overstated.
The minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Beatrice Jeddy-Agba added that the world’s transactions, communications, and disputes are increasingly conducted electronically or defined by technology.
“The books have provided the judiciary and legal practitioners with intellectual tools and guidance to adapt to the reality of this evolving field, thereby ensuring that justice remains credible and contemporary.
“Also, Omolaye-Ajileye’s scholarship underscores the very vision driving the current administration’s student loan scheme.
“The loan scheme is to ensure that no student’s future is cut short by financial hardship and that every Nigerian with the flair and determination to learn has the opportunity to do so.
“By transforming his personal struggle into a platform for supporting indigent students, his loan scheme has created a legacy that resonates with our national commitment to inclusive education and empowerment.
“This foundation is a shining example of how personal resilience can inspire systemic solutions and how indigent generosity can complement government policy in building a just and equitable society.’’
The minister commended Omolaye-Ajileye for his continued commitment to enriching the legal system through literary and scholarly works.
“I encourage everyone here today to support this noble cause for the progress of humanity and I strongly reaffirm the administration’s commitment to ensuring that education remains accessible to all.’’
Also speaking, a former Chairman of the Body of Benchers (BOB), Wole Olanipekun (SAN) who chaired the event expressed concern about the increasing abuse of the freedom of expression in cyberspace.
The senior lawyer advocated measures to enhance the effectiveness of the Cybercrimes Act.
“It is worrisome that some people could refer to others with unprintable names on the phone and on social media without those people being held accountable.’’
He tasked lawyers and academics to continue supporting reforms that would equip the justice system to address emerging challenges in the digital space.
He, thereafter, described the author as one of his mentees and hailed him for his contributions to legal scholarship and the development of electronic evidence jurisprudence in the country.
The author, who raised concern about what he described as the perceived inconsistency in the alteration to the Electoral Act, said he was encouraged to write the books to promote knowledge in the area of electronic evidence.
Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), a former Minister of Justice, urged the Department of State Security (DSS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to help repatriate looted funds and proceeds of corruption stashed abroad back to the country.
Agabi noted that a huge chunk of the nation’s wealth is stashed abroad and must be repatriated.
“The recovery of looted assets is essential to restoring public confidence and securing the country’s future.’’
Agabi then called on judicial officers to defend the image of the Judiciary against growing public misconceptions.
“The institution must respond collectively to the challenges it faces rather than leaving individual judges to bear the burden.
He commended the author for his diligence and efforts at expanding the legal jurisprudence and also warned those with funds abroad to return them, cautioning that failure to do so would amount to failing a generation.
Agabi described the retired judge as a model of honesty whose life demonstrated that public office could be held without yielding to corruption.
“Justice Omolaye-Ajileye’s dedication, integrity and service to the legal profession despite opportunities to compromise are well noted and applauded.
“He is a man whose conduct, both in public and in private, has never brought him under suspicion, even at a time when the nation is rife with suspicion.’’
The author, Omolaye-Ajileye+, a retired judge of the High Court of Kogi State noted that his vision was to contribute to a society where no indigent student will go through what he went through financially.
“No student should be denied access to quality education, personal development and the opportunity to fulfill their God given potential.
“The foundation is a personal life experience and is informed by the urge to help the poor and I plead with all to improve the life of the indigent students.
NAN reports that the event was attended by Justices of the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, the Federal High Courts, senior lawyers, associates of the author, his family members, among others. (NAN)
Edited by Sadiya Hamza