Francis Iwuchukwu 
The Chief Judge (CJ) of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba has called for a legal framework to mitigate against the activities of cybercriminals across the country.
Justice Alogba made the call during a webinar session as part of activities to mark the new legal year 2024/2025.
According to the CJ, “Cybercrimes affect not only our economic framework but also deeply influence domestic life, business operations, and numerous other aspects of daily living.
“The growing reliance on digital tools requires increased caution in their use. We must become more aware of how we handle and apply ICT equipment, as these devices have become integral to our lives.”
Justice Alogba urged the public to remain vigilant and mindful of the dangers posed by cybercriminal activities, stressing the need for collective caution and robust legal frameworks to mitigate these risks.
Speaking on the topic, ‘Cyber Offences in the Digital Stratosphere: Civil and Criminal Implications,’ a Justice of the Port Harcourt Division of the Court of Appeal, Justice Elfrieda Williams-Daudu acknowledged that while the digital age brings vast opportunities, it also comes with a “darker side” in the form of cyber offences that pose serious threats to personal, economic, and national security.
Justice Williams-Daudu said, “Cybersecurity brings with it immense possibilities, but we must also recognize the growing risks,” just as she emphasized the pervasive role of technology in modern life, where everything from daily communication to healthcare, government services, and critical infrastructure is interlinked.
“Our reliance on technology is not just a convenience any more, it’s a critical component of our society.”
Justice Williams-Daodu also drew a parallel between digital infrastructure today and the physical infrastructure of past generations.
“Just as roads and transportation systems were once the backbone of earlier societies, digital infrastructure now forms the foundation of our modern world.
“Our financial networks, communication systems, and even transportation are all deeply integrated into the digital realm,” the judge maintained.
In stressing the importance of addressing cyber threats through both civil and criminal measures, the Appeal Court Justice pointed out that the interconnected nature of today’s world makes cybersecurity a matter of global urgency.
He said, “This is why this topic is so important — our lives are intertwined with technology, and we must protect these systems as fiercely as we once guarded physical infrastructure.”
