As Nigeria seeks to join the committee of nations which deploy electronic transactions to facilitate economic growth and development, information technology (IT) experts have called for the formulation of an all-inclusive framework to legalise electronic payment system.
This is even as the Federal Government through the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has proposed a new law to ensure that all electronic documents and signatures are as valid as their paper and ink counterparts.
The experts, however, say that the proposed legal framework must not only address the commercial aspects of transactions, but also cater for the inherent technological issues because the primary vehicle for e-transactions is the internet and information technology.
According to them, most existing laws and regulations in Nigeria do not provide for the electronic element in e-transactions, saying that by itself necessitates the formulation of new laws and regulations to accommodate this very essential element.
They further expound that this new law would promote public trust in the use of e-transaction while assuring adequate protection for privacy of information of individuals in such transactions.
This they say would invariably give teeth to section 37 of the Nigerian constitution of 1999 which categorically states that: “The privacy of citizens, their homes, correspondence, telephone conversation and telegraphic communications is hereby guaranteed and protected.”
BusinessDay gathered that the proposed bill represents the first main step at amending the Evidence Act which will make copies of documentary evidence admissible in courts where the original had been lost, is unavailable, or in custody of public officials.
Conversely, the Nigerian evidence law makes no provision for digital signatures and even admission of e-mail as documentary evidence, particularly when not signed.
Informed sources say that when the law comes into effect, electronic sound, symbol or process connected with an agreement or transaction would be acknowledged as electronic signature.
Posted in: News
» Leave a Reply