The Open Society Justice Reform Project (OSJRP) has called on judiciary stakeholders across Nigeria to embrace comprehensive data protection and backup systems as a cornerstone for transparent and efficient justice delivery.
Speaking during a press briefing to mark Data Backup Day in Ikeja, the Executive Director of OSJRP, Mr. Sam Akpologun, emphasized that safeguarding legal data is essential for the protection of human rights, the preservation of due process, and the prevention of delays in court proceedings.
Akpologun highlighted the systemic challenges posed by poor digital infrastructure and unreliable data management practices within the judiciary, noting that these issues often result in case file losses, trial delays, and compromised transparency.
He recalled the destruction of sensitive court records following the arson attack on Lagos’ Igbosere High Court building during the #EndSARS protests, a disaster that exposed the vulnerability of paper-based systems and underscored the importance of digital data backup.
“Data backup is not just an IT necessity; it is a pillar of judicial integrity,” Akpologun said. “A robust data protection framework can prevent the loss of critical legal records due to human error, cyberattacks, and infrastructural failures.”
The OSJRP Executive Director acknowledged the progress made with the passage of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, but lamented its weak enforcement within the judicial sector. He stressed that many courts still rely heavily on manual, paper-based filing systems, making them prone to manipulation, loss, and inefficiencies.
Akpologun urged judicial authorities to modernize their infrastructure by adopting digital case management systems, regular data backup protocols, and cloud-based and offline storage solutions. He also called for enhanced capacity-building programmes for judicial officers, focused on data security and best practices.
“Efficient and fair justice delivery cannot exist without secure and reliable data management,” Akpologun stated, advocating for collective action from judicial institutions, government agencies, and civil society to prioritize data protection as a strategic part of justice reform.
He concluded that the judiciary’s journey toward modernization must include the full implementation of digital platforms and stricter adherence to data protection frameworks to ensure resilience against future disruptions.
