The Federal High Court of Nigeria has announced the commencement of its electronic filing (e-filing) platform in the Lagos Judicial Division, marking a significant step toward the digitisation of court processes in Nigeria.
Key Dates to Note
According to the official notice, the e-filing system will become operational from April 27, 2026. Consequently, the final date for manual filing of new cases in the Lagos Division is April 24, 2026. After this deadline, all new cases must be filed exclusively through the electronic platform.
However, cases filed before the go-live date will continue to be processed manually until they are concluded.
Mandatory Requirements for Legal Practitioners
Legal practitioners intending to use the platform must obtain a Legal Mail account, which is now a compulsory requirement for access. Applications can be completed via the Nigerian Bar Association portal.
In addition, law firms and chambers are required to upload their registration documents issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission when creating profiles on the platform.
E-Affidavit System Still Requires Physical Appearance
All documents requiring oath administration must be processed through the court’s e-affidavit platform. Nonetheless, deponents are still required to appear physically before a Commissioner for Oaths for the administration of the oath.
Penalties for Incorrect Filing Declarations
The court also warned against under-declaration of claims or misrepresentation of filed documents. Any such discrepancies that result in underpayment of filing fees will attract payment of the outstanding balance along with a penalty of ₦10,000 per filing.
Training and Support for Transition
To ensure a smooth transition, instructional videos on the use of the e-filing system have been made available online, with further dissemination planned via lawyers’ communication platforms.
Additionally, a two-day interactive training session will be held within the week of April 20 to 24, 2026. Details regarding the schedule will be communicated in due course.
A Step Toward Judicial Efficiency
This development reflects ongoing efforts by the judiciary to modernise court processes, improve efficiency, and enhance access to justice through technology.
Legal practitioners and court users are advised to familiarise themselves with the new system and ensure full compliance ahead of the transition.
Signed:
Yahaya Yakubu Shafa, FCARB
Acting Chief Registrar
Federal High Court of Nigeria
March 24, 2026
