The Federal High Court of Nigeria has announced new Practice Directions on the implementation of Electronic Affidavits (E-Affidavits), aimed at enhancing efficiency and transparency in the judiciary.
The announcement, made by Chief Judge Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, is in line with the court’s adoption of global best practices.
Effective July 1, 2024, the Federal High Court will begin issuing E-Affidavits, which will complement the existing manually sworn affidavits.
This initiative is designed to simplify the affidavit process, ensuring prompt and transparent issuance. The Practice Directions, made in accordance with Orders 57 and 58 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019, detail the applicability, objectives, and implementation of the E-Affidavit system.
According to the new Practice Directions:
- Applicability: The E-Affidavit system will apply to all affidavits issued by the Federal High Court, unless otherwise directed by the Chief Judge.
- Objectives: The system aims to ensure efficient issuance of E-Affidavits, protect litigants’ interests, and regulate the standard of issuance upon payment of prescribed fees.
- Implementation: E-Affidavits will be generated by the court’s designated E-filing Unit and will be in an electronic format with specialized features approved by the court. Applications for E-Affidavits will be made online via the court’s official website.
Justice Tsoho has established a task force to oversee the implementation of this innovation. The cost of each E-Affidavit will be determined and reviewed periodically by the Chief Judge.
The Practice Directions also specify that the E-Affidavit system aims to protect data within a user-friendly automated system.
Annual Court Vacation
In a separate announcement, the Federal High Court disclosed its annual vacation schedule for 2024. Justice Tsoho, referencing Order 46, Rule 4(d) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019, stated that the vacation will commence on July 23 and conclude on September 13, 2024. Court sittings will resume on September 16, 2024.
During the vacation period, the court’s divisions in Lagos, Abuja, and Port-Harcourt will remain open for urgent matters. Specifically, the vacation judges will be:
- Abuja: Justices Emeka Nwite and Peter Lifu
- Port-Harcourt: Justices Akintayo Aluko and Isaac D. Dipeolu
- Lagos: Justices A. T. Mohammed and P. M. Ayua
This annual break allows judicial officers to rest and prepare for the new legal year, ensuring they are ready to handle forthcoming tasks and activities.
