Why E-Affidavits Are the Digital Revolution Nigerians Have Been Waiting For
For decades, the process of obtaining a sworn affidavit in Nigeria has been a quintessential tale of bureaucratic frustration. It was a journey that often began at dawn, involving long travels to a court registry, navigating crowded corridors, and enduring endless queues, only to sometimes be met with the dreaded, hand-written sign: “Magistrate is not on seat.”
This manual, time-consuming, and often opaque system was ripe for disruption. That disruption has finally arrived in the form of the e-affidavit, a technology-driven solution that represents the digital revolution Nigerians have long been waiting for.The e-affidavit system digitizes the entire process of deposing to a statement on oath, from application and payment to stamping and delivery. It is a fundamental shift that addresses the core pain points of the old system with modern efficiency.
The benefits are not just theoretical; they are practical, tangible, and are already transforming the lives of citizens in the states that have adopted this innovation.
Unmatched Convenience and Accessibility
Perhaps the most significant advantage of the e-affidavit is the sheer convenience it offers. The system dismantles geographical barriers, making the service accessible to anyone with an internet-enabled device.
Practical Illustration: Consider Aisha, a recent graduate living in a small town in Jigawa State who needs an affidavit of age declaration to complete her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) registration. The nearest High Court is a three-hour bus ride away. In the past, this would mean sacrificing an entire day and incurring significant transport costs. With the e-affidavit portal, Aisha can simply visit a local cybercafé, fill out the required form online, upload a passport photograph, and make the payment electronically. Within minutes, the stamped and signed affidavit is delivered to her email, ready to be printed. She saves time, money, and the stress of a long journey.
Drastic Reduction in Processing Time
The old system was notoriously slow, bogged down by manual paperwork and dependency on the physical presence of a Commissioner for Oaths. The e-affidavit platform automates these workflows, slashing the turnaround time from hours or even days to mere minutes.
Practical Illustration: Mr. Okoro, a businessman in Lagos, urgently needs an affidavit confirming the loss of original company documents to bid for a lucrative contract with a deadline of 4 p.m. It’s already noon. Driving to the court at Ikeja would be a race against traffic and queues, with no guarantee of success. Instead, he uses the Lagos State Judiciary’s e-affidavit portal. He selects the appropriate template, fills in the details, pays, and completes a quick virtual deposition. By 12:30 p.m., the verified e-affidavit is in his inbox. He successfully submits his bid well before the deadline, an outcome that would have been nearly impossible under the old system.
Enhanced Security and Fraud Prevention
Paper affidavits are vulnerable to forgery, alteration, and outright fakery, creating significant risks for institutions that rely on them for verification. The e-affidavit system introduces robust security features that make fraud nearly impossible.
Practical Illustration: A commercial bank in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is processing a request from a client to unblock an account, supported by an affidavit for loss of an ATM card. In the past, the bank would have to visually inspect the document and trust its authenticity. Now, the e-affidavit comes with a unique QR code. The bank official simply scans the code with a smartphone, which instantly directs them to the FCT High Court’s verification portal. The portal confirms the authenticity of the affidavit, the name of the deponent, and the date it was issued. This instant, foolproof verification protects the bank and the customer from fraudulent activities.
Increased Transparency and Cost-Effectiveness
The traditional affidavit process was often plagued by a lack of transparency, with touts and middlemen inflating costs. The e-affidavit introduces a standardized and transparent payment system, eliminating hidden fees and corruption. Users know exactly what to pay and receive digital receipts for their transactions, fostering accountability.
This predictable pricing, combined with the elimination of travel and other incidental costs, makes the e-affidavit a far more cost-effective solution for the average Nigerian.
States Leading the Digital Charge
The adoption of e-affidavits is a testament to the forward-thinking vision of several state judiciaries. The states and territories that have rolled out this transformative service include:
- Federal Capital Territory (FCT)
- Rivers State
- Abia State
- Lagos State
- Edo State
- Bayelsa State
- Osun State
- Oyo State
- Enugu State
- Jigawa State
- Ondo State
- Nasarawa State
- etc
The move to e-affidavits is more than just a technological upgrade; it is a significant step towards building a more accessible, efficient, and accountable justice system in Nigeria. It empowers citizens, secures transactions, and proves that with the right application of technology, long-standing bureaucratic bottlenecks can be overcome. This is, without a doubt, a digital revolution that brings a vital public service directly to the fingertips of the people.
Ochidoz Ltd can handle your Affidavit processing professionally. Click here to send us a WhatsApp chat or give us a call at +2349061182744
