The Chairman of the Police Service Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu, has called for innovation and proper use of electronic evidence and other modern devices in our nation’s legal system.
The PSC Chairman spoke at the International Human Rights Day 2024 held on Tuesday, December 10, at the Nigerian Bar Association National Secretariat Auditorium, Central Business District, Abuja.
The Day’s theme was “Our Rights, Our Future, Right now: All Humans are born free and equal in Dignity and Rights.”
DIG Argungu, who noted that the key challenges and threats are mostly the current passive and obsolete criminal justice system, lack of rebalanced criminal justice system in the area of victimology, said that violation of human rights has taken a new dimension in this 21st century, stressing.
He stated that there is a glaring lack of innovation and proper use of electronic evidence and other relevant devices.
DIG Argungu lamented that the old laws and regulations “appear to be uncertain and obsolete; and also, it is becoming harder for the regulations to keep up with technology.”
He added: “It is doubtful that new languages in law could anticipate the cleverness of technology.”
The PSC Chairman said: “There is need at this hour of 21st century and fourth industrial revolution for all lawyers and judicial staff to have training in recognition of offences committed through computer,and how electronic evidence can be obtained and preserved.”
He stated: “We should also bear in mind that an old-fashioned way of long-hand writing in taking court proceedings is already obsolete and ineffective in today’s world”.
DIG Argungu further remarked on the conflicts of procedural laws in the area of disposal of exhibits in cases disposed of in law courts.
