AN EXAMINATION OF THE EVIDENCE (AMENDMENT) ACT OF 2023

Abstract

The Evidence (Amendment) Act, 2023 was enacted to modernize the use of evidence in legal proceedings. The Act aims to improve efficiency and access to justice by making significant changes to the way evidence is managed in the Nigerian legal system. The Act provides for the use of electronic records and digital signatures, allowing for the modernization of evidence management and increasing the efficiency of the legal system. Using a doctrinal research methodology, this paper examined the key provisions of the Evidence (Amendment) Act and the challenges that may arise in putting it into practice. The paper also considered the impact of the Amendment Act on judicial proceedings in Nigeria Courts. The paper found that there are a number of potential challenges to the successful implementation of the Evidence (Amendment) Act; these include a lack of infrastructure, technical expertise and the need for training. However, if these challenges are addressed, the Amendment Act has the potential to bring significant improvements to the legal system in Nigeria.