THE ROLE OF DIGITAL EVIDENCE IN LEGAL PROCEEDINGS: ADMISSIBILITY AND CREDIBILITY

The digital revolution has fundamentally transformed the landscape of evidence in legal proceedings worldwide, with Nigeria taking a decisive step forward through the Evidence (Amendment) Act 2023. This research examines the evolving role of digital evidence in Nigerian courts, focusing on the critical issues of admissibility and credibility within the framework of the newly amended Evidence Act. The study addresses the transformative impact of sections 84A-84D, which revolutionized how electronic records, digital signatures, and computer-generated documents are treated in judicial proceedings. Prior to the 2023 amendments, Nigerian courts grappled with significant challenges in authenticating and admitting digital evidence under the restrictive provisions of Section 84 of the Evidence Act 2011. The landmark case of Atiku Abubakar v. Muhammadu Buhari exemplified these challenges, where the Supreme Court struggled with the admissibility of electronic voting records and server-generated data. This research investigates how the Evidence (Amendment) Act 2023 addresses these longstanding issues while establishing new standards for digital evidence credibility. The study employs doctrinal analysis, comparative jurisprudence, and empirical research methodologies to examine the practical implications of Nigeria's modernized digital evidence framework. Key findings reveal that while the 2023 amendments significantly enhance the admissibility of electronic records, challenges remain in ensuring credibility, particularly regarding authentication protocols and technical expertise requirements within the judiciary. This research contributes to legal scholarship by providing the first comprehensive analysis of Nigeria's reformed digital evidence regime, offering practical guidance for legal practitioners, and proposing recommendations for effective implementation of the new legislative framework