By Hosea Parah, Abuja

The Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Hashimu Argungu (rtd), has urged for innovation and the proper utilization of electronic evidence in Nigeria’s legal system. Speaking at the 2024 International Human Rights Day event, which took place at the Nigerian Bar Association National Secretariat Auditorium in Abuja, DIG Argungu highlighted the growing ineffectiveness of outdated laws in addressing modern human rights violations.

This year’s International Human Rights Day event, themed “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now: All Humans Are Born Free and Equal in Dignity and Rights,” focused on the evolving challenges of human rights in the 21st century. DIG Argungu stressed that Nigeria’s current criminal justice system is becoming increasingly passive and inefficient, particularly in handling violations related to victimology, and that outdated regulations are failing to keep up with emerging issues.

He called attention to the importance of electronic evidence, noting how traditional laws have struggled to keep pace with technological advancements. “The old laws appear uncertain and obsolete, and it is becoming harder for regulations to keep up with technology,” Argungu remarked, warning that the rapid pace of technological innovation often outstrips the ability of legal frameworks to adapt.

Argungu further emphasized the need for all legal professionals, including lawyers and judicial staff, to be trained in recognizing cybercrimes and properly handling electronic evidence. “In the age of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, it is crucial that legal practitioners are equipped to recognize offenses committed through computers and understand how electronic evidence can be gathered and preserved,” he said.

The PSC Chairman also addressed concerns over outdated practices in the court system, criticizing the continued reliance on long-hand writing during proceedings. He pointed to the growing conflicts within procedural laws, especially in the disposal of exhibits in closed cases, urging for urgent reforms to streamline and modernize legal processes.

DIG Argungu’s remarks underscored the need for significant innovation and modernization within the legal system to protect human rights in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

The event was attended by legal professionals, human rights advocates, and government officials, serving as an important platform for discussing the future of human rights and the critical need for legal reforms in the face of technological advancements.