ADMISSIBILITY OF ELECTRONIC EVIDENCE IN CIVIL PROCEEDINGS

The increasing reliance on digital technology in personal, commercial, and institutional activities has significantly transformed the nature of evidence presented in civil litigation. This study examines the admissibility of electronic evidence in civil proceedings, with particular reference to the legal framework governing its reception, authentication, and evaluation by the courts. The research explores the provisions of the Evidence Act 2011 (as amended), relevant rules of civil procedure, and judicial decisions that have shaped the admissibility of electronic evidence in Nigeria. Employing a doctrinal research methodology, the study relies on primary sources, including statutes and case law, as well as secondary sources such as textbooks, journal articles, and legal commentaries. The findings reveal that while the Evidence Act has expanded the scope for admitting electronic evidence, challenges remain regarding compliance with statutory requirements for authentication, the reliability and integrity of electronic records, technological complexities, and varying judicial interpretations of the law. The study further identifies issues relating to digital manipulation, cybersecurity concerns, and inadequate technical expertise among legal practitioners and judicial officers as factors affecting the effective use of electronic evidence in civil proceedings. It concludes that electronic evidence has become indispensable in modern litigation and that its admissibility is essential to ensuring efficient and effective justice delivery. The study recommends continuous judicial training, legislative reforms to address emerging technological developments, improved digital forensic capacity, and greater awareness among legal practitioners to promote the consistent and reliable application of the law governing electronic evidence in civil proceedings.