The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, and other stakeholders have underscored the critical role of cybersecurity in today’s digital age and said focus on it will enhance legal expertise in the field.

Aside from the Chief judge, other stakeholders are Retired judge of the Supreme Court, Olabode Rhodes-Vivour, Judge of Court of Appeal, Elfrieda Williams-Dawodu, Dr Muiz Banire (SAN) and Attorney General of Lagos State, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN) among others.

They called for sensitisation of the public on the broader impact of cybercrime beyond just the economy.

They made this known yesterday during a webinar session as part of activities to mark the new Legal Year 2024/2025.

The webinar was chaired by Justice Rhodes-Vivour (RTD JSC ) was moderated by former Lagos AG, Mosendiku Adeniji Kazeem. The event was attended by judges, and senior lawyers amongst others.

In his welcome address, the CJ emphasised that the session’s focus on cybercrime would significantly enhance legal expertise in the field and noted that

Cybercrime affects not only our economic framework but also deeply influences domestic life, business operations, and numerous other aspects of daily living.

He said that 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.”

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.

In a thought-provoking address on the topic, “Cyber Offences in the Digital Stratosphere: Civil and Criminal Implications,” Justice Elfrieda Williams-Daudu, of a Port Harcourt Division of Court of Appeal discussed the complex landscape of cybersecurity.

She acknowledged that while the digital age brings vast opportunities, it also comes with a “darker side” in the form of cyber offenses that pose serious threats to personal, economic, and national security.

“Cybersecurity brings with it immense possibilities, but we must also recognise the growing risks.”

She emphasised 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 anymore, it’s a critical component of our society,” she said.

Justice Williams-Daodu also drew a parallel between digital infrastructure today and the physical infrastructure of past generations.

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“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.”

She therefore stressed on the importance of addressing cyber threats through both civil and criminal measures, pointing out that the interconnected nature of today’s world makes cybersecurity a matter of global urgency.

“This is why this topic is so important because our lives are intertwined with technology, and we must protect these systems as fiercely as we once guarded physical infrastructure.”

Dr Muiz Banire (SAN), said fighting cyber security, there must be treaties and mutual assistance between African countries.

He said the technical areas such as cyber are something that all judges should be familiar with because many times they deal with speedy resolution of these problems will determine whether or not this environment will be considered friendly enough for investment.

“Why we’re discussing all these things is the ability to give confidence to investors that if anything goes wrong which it will happen, that there is a remedy, the reason Nigeria tends to be a back seat with regard to fighting this crisis.”