At the inauguration ceremony, Justice John T. Tsoho, the chief judge of the Federal High Court, described the initiative as a critical step toward modernising Nigeria’s judicial system, stressing that digital transformation is now a necessity rather than an option.

According to him, the e-filing platform is designed to enhance transparency, improve efficiency, and eliminate long-standing challenges associated with physical case files, including tampering, loss, and delays.

“For too long, the corridors of the Federal High Court have been weighed down by mountains of paper files. Today, we declare that era over.

“This is not just about deploying technology; it is about removing the barriers that have historically slowed the administration of justice,”Tsoho said.

He explained that the system creates a digital trail for every process, effectively preventing backdating and curbing exploitative practices within the registry.

Tsoho added that the new platform allows litigants and legal practitioners to file cases remotely at any time, noting that court registries are no longer restricted by working hours.

“The registry no longer closes at 2 p.m. Filing can now be done from anywhere with internet access. The time it takes for a case file to reach a judge has been reduced from days to seconds,” he said.

“All payments are processed through integrated channels, ensuring full accountability. Lawyers are also encouraged to adopt digital signatures and utilise the e-Affidavit platform for sworn documents,” he added

Also speaking, Chairman of the Judicial Information Technology Policy Committee and Chief Judge of Borno State High Court, Justice Kashim Zannah, underscored the resilience digital systems bring to judicial operations.

He cited the recent flood disaster in Maiduguri, which submerged court facilities, yet left judicial records intact due to digital backup.

“All registries were flooded, but we did not lose a single document because everything was stored in the cloud. Even while the courts were underwater, legal practitioners continued filing cases remotely, and court activities went on uninterrupted,”Zannah said.

He noted that states such as Borno, Bayelsa, Delta, Niger, and Taraba have already embraced e-filing, urging others, including Ekiti, Ebonyi, and Ogun, to follow suit.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), represented by Mr Anene Nwadukwu, chairman of the Surulere Branch, threw its weight behind the initiative, describing it as essential to sustaining Lagos’ reputation as a hub for efficient legal services.

He maintained that the adoption of technology remains the surest path to improving justice delivery and aligning Nigeria’s judiciary with global best practices.

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This comes after a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja ordered SleekChip to pay $1.97 million, in naira, plus interest, to the telecom company.

At the centre of the case is a network interconnect agreement signed by both parties in July 2019. MTN said SleekChip racked up the debt between January and October 2022 by using its network to route calls and messages, but failed to pay.

Per Nairametrics, several demand notices were sent, according to court records. SleekChip responded in May 2023, promising to settle the debt by July 20 of the same year. That payment never came.

“The defendant has since failed, refused, and neglected to liquidate its indebtedness to the applicant without justification. The defendant has never disputed the debt but has admitted its indebtedness to the applicant,” MTN said in court.

MTN added that SleekChip missed the 60-day window to challenge the charges, as outlined in their agreement. The court found that SleekChip didn’t file any defence. 

Judge Peter Lifu, satisfied with MTN’s evidence, ordered the company to pay the full amount, plus interest, backdated to January 2022.

Now, MTN wants to enforce that ruling by freezing SleekChip’s funds in multiple banks. The amount sought in the garnishee proceedings is N3.28 billion, the naira equivalent of the court-ordered payment. 

The figure includes interest calculated using the Central Bank’s exchange rate of N1,665.84 to $1 as at 7 November 2024.

On 16 May 2025, when the case returned to court, MTN’s lawyers said they had received responses from almost all the banks, showing whether SleekChip held accounts with them. 

MTN asked the court to release over 10 of those banks from the case, since the company had no funds with them. The judge approved that request.

Some banks complied with the court’s instructions but disagreed with MTN’s push to run further searches on SleekChip’s accounts using its Bank Verification Number (BVN). The banks argued that the court never gave permission for such a move. The case has now been adjourned until 26 June 2025.

This is not MTN’s first clash over unpaid interconnect fees. In recent years, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) approved MTN’s disconnection of several service providers, including SleekChip and Exchange Telecommunications Limited. 

MTN was also briefly allowed to partially disconnect Globacom in early 2024, but both companies later reached a settlement.

Not just for MTN, but across the telecom sector, interconnect debts are a serious challenge faced by telcos.

The post MTN Moves to Recover N6bn from SleekChip, Drags Over 20 Banks to Court appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

This brings the end to an eight-month ordeal, during which he faced allegations including money laundering and tax evasion.

Following a ruling from the Federal High Court, Gambaryan left Kuje prison late Wednesday night, allowing him to return to the United States for urgent medical care. 

The court’s decision, supported by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), brought to light the deterioration of Gambaryan’s health during his detention, prompting the need for specialised treatment.

In response to his release, the U.S. government expressed appreciation to Nigeria for facilitating Gambaryan’s return. Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a statement, thanking the Nigerian government for its cooperation and emphasising the importance of U.S.-Nigeria relations.

Blinken stated, “The United States thanks the Government of Nigeria for releasing U.S. citizen Tigran Gambaryan on medical grounds, allowing him to return to the United States to receive the specialized medical care he requires.

“This positive outcome demonstrates the strength of the U.S.-Nigeria partnership and highlights our shared commitment to working together to advance our common interests.  Our close law enforcement cooperation remains a cornerstone of our bilateral relationship, and the United States is committed to working closely with the Government of Nigeria to address mutual concerns and prioritize the safety and well-being of our citizens.”

Gambaryan’s family are greatly relieved following his release, particularly his wife, Yuki Gambaryan, who stated, “It is a huge relief that this day has finally come. The past eight months have been a living nightmare.” She thanked the U.S. government and supporters for their support during this challenging time.

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This ruling, delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite on Wednesday, was primarily based on health issues that were supported by the EFCC itself.

Tigran Gambaryan of Binance, who had been in detention since April 2024, faced allegations relating to money laundering tied to cryptocurrency transactions.

His legal representatives presented evidence that his health had severely deteriorated during his time in custody, requiring immediate medical attention that was unavailable in the correctional facility.

Initially, the EFCC opposed Gambaryan’s bail application, claiming that his health issues were exaggerated. However, new medical reports submitted during the hearings revealed that his condition was indeed critical and could not be properly managed while incarcerated.

The court was later informed that Gambaryan’s health had deteriorated further, to the extent that he now required a wheelchair for mobility. Despite the efforts of the Nigerian Correctional Service, his condition could not be effectively managed within the facility, and it was revealed that he would need surgery, with a lengthy recovery period that could delay the trial process.

In light of this, the EFCC acknowledged that Gambaryan’s limited role at Binance had little bearing on the investigation and, after reviewing the case in consultation with the federal government, it was decided that continuing the charges against him would serve little purpose. 

Diplomatic considerations, including ongoing engagements between Nigeria and the U.S., also played a part in the decision to drop the charges.

During the hearing, EFCC counsel Ekele Iheanacho SAN requested that the court discharge Gambaryan, which Gambaryan’s lawyer, Mark Mordi SAN, did not oppose. Mordi, however, urged the court to consider issuing a full acquittal in light of the prosecution’s admission of his client’s limited involvement.

In his ruling, Justice Nwite noted the importance of ensuring Gambaryan receives proper medical care, stating that the medical documentation presented showed an urgent need for specialized treatment. 

He subsequently struck out the money laundering charge, ordering that Gambaryan be immediately released from the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Kuje.

The court also adjourned the trial of Binance itself to November 22, 2024, for continuation of proceedings, bringing an end of Gambaryan’s personal charges after months of detention. 

The post UPDATED: Federal High Court Discharges Binance Executive Tigran Gambaryan on Health Grounds appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

The court, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, dismissed the ex parte motion filed by Danladi Goje, Buky Abayomi, Adiza Abbo, and 13 other Nigerian citizens. This type of motion, which allows a party to seek relief without prior notice to the other side, aimed to halt the protests and prevent further disruption.

The applicants targeted various organisations involved in the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria Protests, including the Take It Back Movement, Concerned Nigerians, and Nigerians Against Hunger, among others. They also sought to restrain a wide range of individuals and groups, including Omoyele Sowore and the Social Democratic Party, pointing to violations of fundamental rights such as life, liberty, and economic stability due to the protests.

The petitioners’ legal representative, Tsembelee Sorkaa, argued that the ongoing protests posed a risk to public order and personal safety, drawing parallels with the #EndSARS protests of 2020, which had led to unrest and property damage. 

Sorkaa requested that the court issue a restraining order and direct security forces to enforce it. Again, he sought permission for substituted service, suggesting that the respondents be notified via national newspapers due to difficulties in serving them directly.

During the hearing, Justice Lifu commented on the lack of supporting affidavit and questioned the necessity of an urgent restraining order, given that the protests had concluded the previous week. The judge also noted the absence of evidence indicating that the protests would resume in the near future. Consequently, Justice Lifu deemed the application unsubstantiated and lacking in merit, leading to its dismissal.

The court has rescheduled the next hearing on the related motion for August 29, 2024. Despite the court’s decision, protest leaders have disclosed plans to renew the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria Protests on October 1, 2024, continuing their push for improved governance in Nigeria. The recent protests had garnered international attention, prompting advisories from foreign governments and leading to security measures in several Nigerian states.

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The verdict of the suit, which was against the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was delivered by Justice Inyang Ekwo after Anjarwalla’s legal team failed to appear during the proceedings. 

Nadeem Anjarwalla had previously sought the court’s intervention, alleging that his detention by Nigerian government officials was illegal and causing difficulty for him, his family, and other relatives.

Three months ago, Tonye Krukrubo, SAN, withdrew as Anjarwalla’s legal representative. The reason for this withdrawal remained undisclosed until the NSA confirmed that Anjarwalla had escaped the country while in detention. 

Krukrubo’s law firm, Messrs Aluko & Oyebode, formally withdrew their representation for Anjarwalla in a notice submitted to the court.

At the resumed proceedings on Wednesday, neither party had legal representation. Justice Ekwo noted that Krukrubo had previously sought leave to withdraw the case, allowing Anjarwalla to find new counsel. However, no such replacement occurred, leading the judge to strike out the fundamental rights case due to lack of diligent prosecution.

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) recently initiated criminal proceedings against Binance, a cryptocurrency exchange platform. Nadeem Anjarwalla and Tigran Gambaryan, both Binance executives, were named as second and third defendants in the suit. Notably, the NSA confirmed that Nadeem had fled the country.

Last week, the FIRS amended the charges, making Binance the sole defendant, as confirmed by a Nigerian representative from Binance.

Trial judge Emeka Nwite subsequently removed the Binance executives’ names from the FIRS matter, leaving them as co-defendants in a money laundering suit filed by the EFCC.

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This decision follows the appointment of Ayodele Omotilewa as Binance’s Nigerian representative, prompting the FIRS to file fresh charges listing only Binance as the defendant.

The court’s ruling came after Binance confirmed Omotilewa’s appointment, leading to the striking out of previous charges against Gambaryan, a 39-year-old American, and Anjarwalla, who had fled custody. 

The FIRS had initially brought charges against Binance in March 2024, alleging the company failed to collect and remit taxes, including Value Added Tax (VAT) and Company Income Tax (CIT).

During the latest court session, the FIRS presented an amended charge dated June 13, 2024, identifying Binance as the sole defendant. The new charge accuses Binance of aiding its users in evading taxes through its cryptocurrency trading platform. 

The FIRS’ legal counsel, Moses Idehu, requested that Omotilewa, as Binance’s representative, be required to enter the dock and take a plea on behalf of the company.

Binance’s legal team, led by Tonye Krukrubo SAN, opposed this request, arguing that Nigerian law does not require a company representative to physically stand in the dock. They asserted that a written statement could suffice for court proceedings. The defence’s argument led to the discharge of Gambaryan and Anjarwalla from the case.

Judge Emeka Nwite ruled that the previous charges filed on March 22 and May 17, 2024, were to be struck out, and the case was adjourned to July 12 for further proceedings. The judge also instructed both parties to submit written arguments regarding the necessity of Omotilewa’s presence in the dock.

The court’s decision marks a shift in the ongoing legal battle between Binance and the Nigerian authorities. The FIRS had accused Binance of failing to adhere to tax laws, with the cryptocurrency platform allegedly generating over $20 billion in Nigeria in 2023 without proper tax remittances. 

This case is part of the issue on cryptocurrency operations in Nigeria, which includes separate charges by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Binance and its executives for alleged money laundering and foreign exchange violations.

The Nigerian government has intensified its investigation of cryptocurrency platforms, pointing to their impact on foreign exchange rates and economic stability. This follows the Naira’s devaluation, losing 70% of its value against the dollar due to foreign exchange reforms.

With the legal proceedings continuing, Binance spokesperson said: “We are relieved that the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) have served and filed amended charges today, resulting in tax charges against Tigran Gambaryan being dropped, further illustrating that Tigran is not a decision-maker at Binance and does not need to be held in order for Binance to resolve issues with the Nigerian government. We await the court’s ruling on this, discharging Tigran from this matter completely.

In order for Tigran to be allowed to go home to his family, we are hopeful that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will take similar steps. Tigran has been detained for 110 days, and his physical health is deteriorating, including a recent malaria and pneumonia diagnosis. Binance is committed to continuing to work with the Nigerian government to resolve this.” 

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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.

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